Texas - Hawksbill Sea Turtle - Eretmochelys Imbricata

	Hawksbill Sea Turtle - Eretmochelys Imbricata
STATUS: Endangered with critical habitat designated in Puerto Rico. DESCRIPTION: The Hawksbill is one of the smaller members of the family Chelonidae, reaching 95-165 pounds. The shell is elongated and oval, and the scutes (shell plates) overlap. The carapace (top shell) is brown and strikingly patterned with yellow, orange or reddish-brown. Hawksbills get their name from their beak, which is relatively long and pointed like a hawk's beak. HABITAT: Hawksbills are found in rock areas, reefs, shallow coastal areas, and lagoons of oceanic islands. Generally found in waters less than 60 ft. deep. DISTRIBUTION: Present: Worldwide in subtropical and tropical seas. Continental U.S. nesting is limited to Florida. Rare visitor along Texas Coast. Historic: Atlantic coast to Texas Gulf Coast. THREATS AND/OR REASONS FOR DECLINE:Over-exploitation of eggs, and for the shell (hawksbills are the primary source of "tortoise shell"). Predation on hatchlings by ants, crabs, birds, and mammals can be occasional problem. OTHER INFORMATION: Nesting is nocturnal every 2 to 3 years, but several times a season at two-week intervals. Average clutch size is 160 eggs. Hatchlings primarily eat sponges and are often found in floating masses of sea plants. Recovery Plan completed by the Recovery Team and approved by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in 1984. A revised NMFS and Fish and Wildlife Service plan will be completed in 1992. REFERENCES: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. August 1992. Threatened and Endangered Species of Texas. Endangered Species Office, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Hawksbill Sea Turtle - Eretmochelys Imbricata

STATUS: Endangered with critical habitat designated in Puerto Rico.

DESCRIPTION: The Hawksbill is one of the smaller members of the family Chelonidae, reaching 95-165 pounds. The shell is elongated and oval, and the scutes (shell plates) overlap. The carapace (top shell) is brown and strikingly patterned with yellow, orange or reddish-brown. Hawksbills get their name from their beak, which is relatively long and pointed like a hawk's beak.

HABITAT: Hawksbills are found in rock areas, reefs, shallow coastal areas, and lagoons of oceanic islands. Generally found in waters less than 60 ft. deep.

DISTRIBUTION:

Present: Worldwide in subtropical and tropical seas. Continental U.S. nesting is limited to Florida. Rare visitor along Texas Coast.
Historic: Atlantic coast to Texas Gulf Coast.

THREATS AND/OR REASONS FOR DECLINE:Over-exploitation of eggs, and for the shell (hawksbills are the primary source of "tortoise shell"). Predation on hatchlings by ants, crabs, birds, and mammals can be occasional problem.

OTHER INFORMATION: Nesting is nocturnal every 2 to 3 years, but several times a season at two-week intervals. Average clutch size is 160 eggs. Hatchlings primarily eat sponges and are often found in floating masses of sea plants. Recovery Plan completed by the Recovery Team and approved by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in 1984. A revised NMFS and Fish and Wildlife Service plan will be completed in 1992.

REFERENCES:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. August 1992. Threatened and Endangered Species of Texas. Endangered Species Office, Albuquerque, New Mexico