Hawkbill Turtle Essay

LITERATURE REVIEW The Hawksbill Turtle has become an alarmingly endangered species in recent years. The turtle’s biggest threat is humans. The Hawksbill turtles have been physically harmed and so have their habitats. Many Hawksbill turtles are accidently caught in fishing nets or hooks. When the turtles are captured or tangled in nets, they are prevented from receiving oxygen, so the turtle drowns to its death. Fishing hooks have violently stabbed and killed the turtles (Callender, 2013). Another factor that plays a hand in the extinction of Hawksbill turtle is illegal trade. People capture the turtles and use their body parts, especially the shells, for trading. The shells are brightly colored and have a unique design embedded in them. The shells are mainly used for trinkets and jewelry. “People harvest the Hawksbill turtles for their eggs and meat” (NOAA Fisheries, 2014). Despite the high levels of poisons that are found in the Hawksbill turtle’s flesh, they are still enjoyed as a delicacy by many cultures. “Since the Hawksbill turtle is listed under the Endangered Species Act as an endangered
The federal agency NOAA Fisheries’ describes how the shape of the Hawksbill Turtle’s mouth allows it to capture its food from very hard to reach places. “The mouth of the turtle is “beak” shaped; this allows the turtles to reach into small holes in the coral reefs to grab sponges and algae” (NOAA Fisheries, 2014). The Hawksbill Turtle is an omnivore that feeds on different organisms, including many marine sponges (Wilson et al., 2001). The turtle’s diet primarily consists of sponges, which are mainly found on the coral reefs. “The sponges and algae are very hard to catch, so the turtle must stretch its neck and use its beak to hook and scoop up food. As the turtle’s feast on the sponges, the coral reefs are able to reproduce and new homes are opened up to small creatures” (NOAA,