Hawksbill Sea Turtle Jewelry

The greatest threat to hawksbill sea turtle is the harvesting for their prized shell often referred to as tortoise shell in some countries the shell is still used to make hair ornaments jewelry and other decorative items.

Hawksbill sea turtle jewelry.

Today loss of coral reef habitat around the world is the primary threat to hawksbill turtles. Their diet consists mainly of sponges that live on coral reefs. They are known for their beautiful brown shell mottled with dark and light spots and streaks which was once commonly used to make tortoiseshell jewelry. But they have been hunted to the edge of extinction for their colorful shell.

This beak is perfectly suited for crushing biting and tearing food. Photograph by david doubilet nat geo image collection animals wildlife watch. Endangered hawksbill sea turtles are illegal to trade internationally but japan s thriving domestic trade is hampering the recovery of the species. But in central america and southeast asia many countries still illegally sell tortoiseshell products that are made from the shell of the endangered hawksbill sea turtle nicaragua is the main offender in central america but there have been reports of hawksbill turtle shell products for sale in tropical countries around the world.

Many thousands were killed and some still are to make tortoise shell combs mirrors jewelry and other items. In most countries tortoiseshell is now made from plastic. Hawksbill sea turtles are one of the most beautiful and important species in the ocean. A new study examines the scale of the trade in endangered hawksbill sea turtle shells over the span of nearly 150 years.

The carapace has a tortoiseshell coloration ranging. The hawksbill sea turtle is a small agile turtle with an oval shaped body. The beautiful ornate shell of the hawksbill sea turtle has been its downfall. They help coral reefs thrive by eating sponges and are a thrill for divers and snorkelers to see in the wild.

Life history hawksbill sea turtles are the most tropical of all sea turtles. Beginning of a dialog window including tabbed navigation to register an account or sign in to an existing account. The hawksbill sea turtle is a small to medium sized turtle with shell lengths up to 36 inches. Hawksbill turtles are endangered because of their beautiful shell.

This practice is illegal but still occurs in some countries. The reptile has powerful toothless jaws and a raptorlike beak which earned the hawksbill its name.