Hawksbill Turtles
Release Count:
A Total of 114 Turtles were released and counted.
Release Date:
The actual release date is schedule for today, December 4, 2020 at 3p.m !
Next Release Date:
The turtle laid its eggs on October 9, 2020, and we expect the nest to be ready with hatchlings between December 4 and 9. Stay tuned; we
will be posting the exact release date and time soon.
Overview:
The Hawksbill Sea Turtle found in our area is one of seven living species of sea turtles left globally.
Hawksbill Features
Hawksbill turtles visit the Silver Sands beach annually. They avoid deep waters, preferring coastlines where sponges are abundant, and sandy nesting sites are within reach. They are generally found near
reefs, like our coral reefs, which are rich in the sponges they like to feed. Hawksbills are omnivorous and will also eat mollusks, marine algae, crustaceans, sea urchins, fish, and jellyfish.
Their hard shells protect them from many predators, but they still fall prey to large fish, sharks, crocodiles, octopuses, and humans.
You will first notice that the Hawkbill Sea Turtle features a heart-shaped shell on its body. They are not unusually large compared with other sea turtles. They grow up to about 45 inches (114 centimeters) in shell length and 150 pounds (68 kilograms) in weight. While young, their carapace, or upper shell, is heart-shaped, and as they mature, it elongates.
Their strikingly colored carapace is serrated and has overlapping scutes or thick bony plates. Their tapered heads end in a sharp point resembling a bird's beak, hence their name. A further distinctive feature is a pair of claws adorning each flipper. Male hawksbills have longer claws, thicker tails, and somewhat brighter coloring than
females.
Like other sea turtles, hawksbills make incredible migrations to move from feeding sites to nesting grounds, generally on tropical beaches. Mating occurs every two to three years and typically takes place in
shallow waters close to the shore. The nesting procedure begins when the turtles leave the sea to choose an area to lay their eggs. A pit is dug in the sand, filled with eggs, and then covered. The turtles retreat to the sea at this stage, leaving the eggs, which will hatch in about 60 days. Once they emerge, hatchlings make bite-sized meals for birds, crabs, and a host of predators on land and in the ocean. This the most dangerous time of their lives – making the journey from their nests to
the sea.
Like many sea turtles, hawksbills are a critically endangered species due mostly to human impact. Hawksbill eggs are still eaten worldwide despite the turtle's international protected status, and they are often killed for their flesh and stunning shells. These graceful sea turtles are also threatened by accidental capture in fishing nets.
Silver Sands Beach Turtle Conservation
Each year thousands of hatchling turtles emerge from their nests along our coastline. Sadly, only an estimated one in 1,000 to 10,000 will
survive to adulthood. The natural obstacles faced by young and adult sea turtles are staggering, but humans' increasing threats are driving them to extinction. Today, all sea turtles found in our waters in Jamaica are listed as endangered by the National Environmental Protection Agency. Anyone caught with an egg, or a sea turtle can be fined and imprisoned.
Our conservation program ensures their protection on the Silver Sands beach. When they come to shore, between April and November each year, we provide their safety so they may nest and lay their eggs.
Then we mark the nest location and protect the nest. The incubation period is approximately fifty-five to sixty days. When the nest is ready, we have a managed release, and if you are lucky to be in Silver Sands at that time – you will want to witness this piece of nature, and it will be
etched in your memory forever.
Since we started our turtle conservation program seven years ago, we have released over three thousand five hundred baby turtles.
