HAWKSBILL turtle
description, diet, adapations & importance to the great barrier reef
The Hawksbill Turtle got its name because of the shape of its beak looks like a birds. These Turtles are smaller then the Green Sea Turtle. You can easily identify these turtles because they have a beak that is like a parrot and their shell is jagged. The difference between males and females is that females have shorter tails but males have longer ones. The Hawksbill Turtle feeds on sponges and this helps the fishes of The Great Barrier Reef. Their mouth is adapted to sneak into small spaces and get sponges.
breeding, early life and threats
The first 15 years of A turtles life is called the mystery years because scientists don't know what they are doing! The Hawksbill Turtle is classified Critically Endangered for many reasons. In the past 100 years there has been A 90% decline in this species. They often get trapped in fishing nets and are made into many products such as hair combs, hand bags and jewellery! They will often call it Tortoise Shell. As well as that the threats to the Great Barrier Reef is destroying its home. Rubbish is another massive threat. When its stomach gets filled with rubbish its proper food gets turned into liquid. Only one out of 1000 will survive to be an adult. But scientists think that may be less now because of human threats. Some natural predators are crabs, monitors, dingos, seagulls and sharks. Another threat is that the temperature of the nest determines the gender but with heat increasing because of Global Warming they will all be females and eventually there will be no males to mate with.
conservation
There are many conservation groups trying to help Marine Turtles. They have been working with locals and have successfully educated them how to protect marine habitats. Marine Turtles often get caught in fishing nets but there is a special net where the Turtle can escape. But not every fishing boat has one. Rangers cut nets on beaches that have Turtles caught in them. Beach care is doing a great job at cleaning up beaches. Some islands hunt turtles but some find them sacred and can't touch them! Heron Island are thinking about culling seagulls because they are a threat to baby sea turtles.
how you can help
- Join Beach care.
- Try to not use plastic bags when possible, instead use green bags.
- Spread the message.
- Support Turtle Conservation.
- By protecting the Great Barrier Reef you are helping all animals there including the Hawksbill Turtle.
- Don't buy animal products or if you are not sure if it is fake or not, just don't buy it.
- Reduce Reuse Recycle.
- Make rubbish into art.
- Adopt A Hawksbill Turtle.
- Pick up rubbish.
- If you see a turtle that is sick, injured or in distress contact the Department of Environment and Resource Management on (07) 5459 6152.
- Get solar panels or wind power.
image credits
http://www.arkive.org/hawksbill-turtle/eretmochelys-imbricata/image-G58769.html
http://phys.org/news157202108.html
http://goodpriceforyoumyfriend.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/turtle-doesnt-see-difference.html
http://phys.org/news157202108.html
http://goodpriceforyoumyfriend.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/turtle-doesnt-see-difference.html