REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 33

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 33

We’re diving into the ocean to meet today’s reptile! These special turtles spend most of their lives at sea and come ashore to lay their eggs! Are you excited yet? Grab your diving gear and let’s go!

MEET THE HAWKSBILL SEA TURTLE!

   Range/Habitat: Tropical Ocean waters worldwide/ coral reefs

   Diet: Carnivore: sponges, mollusks, comb jellies

   Length/Weight: 23 ½-32”/ 180 lbs

   Conservation Status: critically endangered

Fun Facts:

• Hawksbill Sea Turtles are one of the smaller members of the sea turtle family.
• They have serrated edge carapace (top shell).
• Hawksbill Sea turtles beautiful scutes (covering on the top shell).
• They have sharp pointy curved beaks.
• They often rest in caves and ledges in the coral reef.
• Most of the prey items that Hawksbill turtles is toxic to other animals.
• They have a long life span, up to 50 years.

Hawksbill turtles are just amazing and beautiful! Thank goodness there are organizations and people out there trying to ensure that they are swimming in our oceans for hundreds of years to come! One great way to help sea turtles is to pick up your trash when you’re on the beach! Sea turtles often mistake plastic bags for food L!