Hawksbill Turtles in North Carolina

Eretmochelys imbricata

STATUS: Endangered

DESCRIPTION: The hawksbill is a small to medium-sized sea turtle. It has a long, oval shell with overlapping plates on the upper side. The head is relatively small. The upper shell is brown with many splashes of yellow, orange or reddish-brown, and the lower shell is yellow with black spots. Young turtles are black or very dark brown with light brown or yellow on the edge of the shell. The upper shells of young turtles have raised ridges. Average adult length is 30 to 35 inches; average adult weight is 95 to 165 pounds.
 

DISTRIBUTION: The hawksbill is found throughout the world's tropical waters. It is also found along the Atlantic coastline from Massachusetts southward to Brazil. This turtle has been known to nest in Florida. It is not common along the North and South Carolina coasts.
 

HABITAT AND CHARACTERISTICS: The hawksbill is found along submerged rocky areas, reefs, shallow coastal areas, lagoons of oceanic islands and narrow creeks and passes. It is not often seen in water over 65 feet deep. The hawksbill is a bottom-feeder, foraging close to shores and reefs. Diet includes algae, fish, mangrove, barnacles, clams, sponges, snails and sea urchins. Nesting occurs between April and November, depending on location. Nests average 161 eggs. Incubation takes from 50 to 70 days.

Species Distribution from known occurrences. Species may occur in similar habitats in other counties.Green counties indicate observed within 20 years. Yellow counties indicate an obscure data reference to the species in the county. Red counties indicate observed more than 20 years ago.

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