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Hawksbill Turtle

Eretmochelys imbricata

Photo by Blogie
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

Also known as Atlantic Hawksbill Sea Turtle, Tropical Sea Turtle, Tortoiseshell Turtle, Carey Sea Turtle.

They feed on invertebrates, such as comb jellies, jellyfish and sponges, and grow to a length of about 1m.

The Hawksbill turtle is the only member of its genus, and is a critically endangered species.

Habitat:

Found in shallow lagoons and coral reefs, as well as in the open sea, at depths of 0 to 25m. Found worldwide, but especially in tropical and sub-tropical waters.

Notes:

I spotted this marine turtle at 60 feet. I was busy trying to photograph some triggerfish when he suddenly appeared to my right! I apologize for the grainy photos -- I was about 20 feet away from the turtle in turbid water, with no external strobe, so I had to edit the pictures a bit to bring out the details.

He was huge! Almost a meter long, I'd say.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (4)

I wonder how old that turtle is now...
I think so, too, for the shell of that species has normally not that colour. That makes it even more special.
@HansNew - Yes, I think so. I've seen another turtle up close before and its shell was also covered in algae.
Is that green shell because of algae on it?

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