Hawksbill Turtle Eretmochelys imbricata adults have an olive-green or brown carapace (shell) with reddish brown, brown or black markings. The shell is high domed and heart shaped with imbricate (overlapping) scales, hence the species name imbricata and is cream to yellowish underneath. Adult females have a mean curved carapace length of approximately 82 cm and weigh 50 kg.
Hatchlings are brown to black on top and light underneath. They have a mean straight carapace length of approximately 4 cm and weigh 13.8 g.
Nesting females have an alternate gait when moving on land, which is they use their flippers alternatively, as opposed to both front and back flippers simultaneously.
Hawksbill Turtles are found in tropical, subtropical and temperate waters in all the oceans of the world. Nesting is mainly confined to tropical beaches.
Photo Credit: Christopher Mahoune