Hawksbill Turtles

Cons) Sea turtles are an important part of our ecosystem. Sea turtle population has declined over the years, but one specific turtle, the Hawksbill

Sea Turtle is on the critically endangered list. Hawksbill Turtles get their name because of their beak shaped jaw. Hawksbill Turtles have very pretty shells and unique patterns along their shells. MarineBio.org says that, “They have overlapping scales with 5 central scutes, 4 pairs of lateral scutes, and 4 prefrontal scutes”. These turtles like to live near the surface so they are closer to the shoreline for breeding and closer to what they eat, sponges, squid, jellyfish and mollusks. According to National Geographic (1996-2015), “they can be found anywhere in

We utilize the marine ecosystem for food and the beaches for a variety of activities, this will affect humans if the Hawksbill Turtles go extinct” is stated. People eat fish, crabs, shrimp, etc. With the decline of turtles the population of other marine life could decrease. Hawksbills help with keeping the corals and sea grass beds healthy. Fish utilize coral and sea grass beds, as well as do some other organisms. If there aren’t enough Hawksbills the corals and sea grass beds could get unhealthy resulting in a decline of other organisms that utilize them. The beaches/dunes would also get affected. The article SEE Turtle Conservancy (1996-2015) also states, “The dune vegetation is able to grow stronger because of the nutrients in the turtle’s eggs. Stronger roots come from better vegetation, this will help keep the sand in place and prevent erosion”. We use sand to walk on and chill when we go to the beach. If the sand erodes away there won’t be anywhere to walk or chill out. Hawksbills like to graze, when they do they cut down the sea grass beds which keeps the healthy and strong. Like previously stated fish utilize these beds. The fish and crustaceans and sometimes shrimp use these for protection and breeding and development. Without enough sea grass beds the food chain in the ocean will go down. The organisms won’t be protected and won’t be able to mate, causing less organisms. Organisms that eat fish and crustaceans will go down in population size, they’ll have nothing to eat. Hawksbills are very important to not only keeping us alive and happy but to other organisms as