Eimbricata

Animal Classification: The Eretmochelys Imrbicata (genus- eretmochelys) comes from the Cheloniidae family. The Class of the Imbricata is Reptilia and it's order is the Testudines.

Habitat: Hawksbill Turtles, (also known as eretmochelys imbricata), can be easily found in hard-bottomed and reef habitats. These habitats also contain many, many sponges. When these turtles are young, they live in shallow parts of the ocean. Later on in these turtle's lives, they make a move from the shallow waters to the deep ends of the ocean. The two oceans that are filled with the Hawksbill Turtles are the Atlantic and the Pacific.

Appearance of Species: Size- Mass: 35.70 to 127 g; avg. 80 g Length: 62.50 to 114 cm; avg. 87 cm

Reproduction: Mating occurs around every 2 to 3 years. The average amount of offspring is 140. The gestation period is 60 days. The parents take care of their young offspring for about 3 years.

Food: These turtles primarily feed on sponges, sea jellies, mollusks, fish, marine algae, crustaceans and other sea plants and animals. The turtle itself is consumed by humans, sharks, crocodiles, large fish and octopi.

Physical Habitat Features (Currents, Tides, Geologic Process) Physical Habitat Features- Currents: Labrador Current Gulf Stream North Equatorial Current South Equatorial Current North Brazil Current Guinea Current Angola Current Brazil Current Benguela current South Atlantic Current Tides: 2.44 Feet is the average tidal range. Geologic Processes: Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Tsunamis, Sea Floor Spreading, Subduction.
 * Atlantic Ocean Currents: **

Migration Patters: Just like humans, these turtles are big fans of traveling! One of their favorite traveling spots is Long Island, Massachusetts.

Species Population: There is no exact number of how many of these turtles are alive today.

Survival Trends: Unfortunately, their population is decreasing.

Economic Importance: For quite some time now, humans hunt these hawsbill turtles so they can sell their scutes. At some markets, you can actually find these turtles for sale and their eggs to make a nice, seafood dinner.

Conservation Efforts and Solutions: Currently (throughout the world), it is illegal to trade hawksbill turtle products. Hopefully creating the expansion of the turtles due to the fact that their major predator, humans, will no longer be able to hunt them.

Some solutions to make sure that this happens is to enforce this law and have a fine for those who break it. A second solution is to exchange the information about keeping these turtles safe, around the world. And finally, to contribute to making the habitats for these turtles a safe place to live.

Threats and Reason for Endangerment: 1)The destruction of forgaging habitat- Hawksbills are typically associated with coral reefs, which are among the world’s most endangered marine ecosystems. 2) The destruction of nesting habitat- Tropical coastlines are rapidly being developed for tourism which often leads to destruction of nesting habitat. 3) Oil Pollution- There is evidence oil pollution has a greater impact on Hawksbills than on other species of turtle.

Endangered Species Act: Year Assessed- 2008 Justification- There has been a large decline in population as a result of over-exploitation of adult females, and degradation of nesting habitats.

QUESTIONS:

1) Where are Hawskbill Turtles commonly found?

2) Name atleast three types of food that these turtles primarily feed on.

3) How often do these animals mate and how long is the gestation period?

Sources: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Eretmochelys_imbricata/html [] [] [] (picture) 