Conducts hawksbill sea turtle research and monitoring. In collaboration with state and federal agencies under endangered species research permits, HWF conducts research on and protects nesting hawksbill sea turtles and their hatchlings. The hawksbill sea turtle is the rarest sea turtle that regularly occurs in Florida (Meylan and Redlow 2006). 1 meter), and weigh 300 pounds (136 kilograms). Hawksbill Sea Turtle Facts. The Hawksbill Sea Turtle. (National Geographic, 2013) This turtle spends the different stages of its life in different environments. Hawksbill Sea Turtles live in coastal waters in the "Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans". Established in 1964, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species. This ‘glowing sea turtle’ that Gruber discovered is not a new species; rather, it is a nickname given to the rare and endangered hawksbill turtle based on its newly discovered ability to biofluoresce. Its shell is oval-shaped and elongated, and it is the most beautiful of sea turtle shells. Most notably, the graceful and gorgeous Hawksbill Sea Turtle is a rapidly disappearing species. Threats to Survival: 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. They have a bird-like beak that is used to pick out sponges from the crevices of coral reef. Hawksbill Turtles nest every 2 to 3 years and lay an amazing 60 to 200 eggs every nesting season! Their shell (carapace) is a dark golden brown with streaks of black, yellow, and orange throughout. It can grow to a length of 3 feet (approx. Because of this, the reptile has been listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN since 1996.; Furthermore, experts estimate that the population of this remarkable species has declined by about 80% in the last 100-135 years. Hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) are known for their magnificent shells and interesting food preferences. This Hawaiian Hawksbill Conservation educational site is dedicated to advancing the scientific understanding of the critically endangered Hawaiian hawksbill sea turtle, honu'ea (Eretmochelys imbricata), to aid in its local and global conservation. Their narrow pointed beak is a specialized feeding tool, much like that of a … The largest Hawksbill colony in the world nests on the Milman Island in Queensland, Australia. The Hawksbill Turtle is omnivorous. 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