Our Habitat continues the series on protected species in Jamaica with a look at the Hawksbill turtle this week. Have questions or comments? E-mail williamsp@jamaicaobserver.com.

The Hawksbill turtle is one of eight recognised living species of sea turtles grouped into six genera (group of animals/plants having similar characteristics distinctive from other groups). The species grow up to a metre long and has a beak-shaped mouth, while the plates of its rich brown shell overlap to protect its body.

Life cycle

The Hawksbill is the most common species of sea turtles breeding in Jamaica. Mature females nest at any time during the year, but their peak nesting season is in late September. They lay between 40 and 60 eggs – usually on the sandy, vegetative beaches where they were born.

The nest is excavated by the mother using her hind flippers. The mature female nests about three times per year, every other year. The temperature determines the sex of the juveniles that emerge.

Meanwhile, the Eretmochelys imbricata – like other sea turtles – grow slowly, taking between 20 and 30 years to reach adulthood. They may, however, live up 100 years or more.

Threats

There are a variety of threats to this species of turtle, including predators – wild dogs and pigs – who dig up and destroy their nests, killing the young. There is also the threat from humans, who kill adult females and take the eggs to make turtle punch. So bad is the situation, in fact, that of the up to 60 eggs they lay, only one or two will survive to reach adulthood.

Once they get to adulthood, there is the problem of fishing equipment to contend with at sea. There have been instances where Hawksbill turtles have got tangled and drowned. This is so since as a species with lungs, while they can dive to hundreds of feet and remain under water for up to an hour, they eventually have to emerge for air.

Habitat

Sandy beaches across Jamaica.

Sources: Brandon Hay, science officer with the Caribbean Coastal Area Management (CCAM) Foundation; and the National Resources Conservation Authority, www.nrca.org/yourenv/biodiversity/Species/turtles.htm.