Rajni Pandey | October 30, 2024
Hawksbill turtles are listed as critically endangered, with populations drastically declining due to poaching and habitat loss.
Image Credit: Canva
Named for their sharp, hawk-like beak, these turtles use it to extract sponges and invertebrates from coral reefs.
Image Credit: Canva
Hawksbill turtles help control sponge populations on coral reefs, which allows for greater biodiversity and healthier reef ecosystems.
Image Credit: Canva
Their beautiful, multi-colored shells are highly valued in the illegal “tortoiseshell” trade, contributing significantly to their endangered status.
Image Credit: Canva
Found mainly in tropical coral reefs, Hawksbills inhabit regions across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, with nesting sites in places like the Caribbean and Australia.
Image Credit: Canva
These turtles can live for 30-50 years or more, but they grow and reproduce slowly, making population recovery a significant challenge.
Image Credit: Canva
Female Hawksbills prefer nesting alone on remote beaches, laying around 100-150 eggs per clutch, which hatch after about two months.
Image Credit: Canva
Rising ocean temperatures and acidification impact their food sources and nesting sites, putting additional pressure on their survival.
Image Credit: Canva
Hawksbills are known for their long-distance migrations between feeding and nesting sites, often traveling hundreds of miles across oceans.
Image Credit: Canva