Eretmochelys imbricata bissa

(Rüppell, 1835)

Vernacular names
English : Pacific hawksbill turtle
French : Tortue imbriquée du Pacifique

Classification
Class : Reptilia
Order : Testudines
Family : Cheloniidae
Notes : 1 other subspecies known. Subspecies validity is questionned.

Identification
The species reaches up to 114 cm in body length for a weight of 127 kg. Elongated carapace with serrated edges. Elongate head and mouth looking like a bird’s beak. Big overlapping mottled brown to yellow and black scales on back.

Range and habitat
This species occurs in most tropical and subtropical areas of Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. Subspecies found in Indian and Pacific Oceans. Lives mostly in coastal waters of tropical seas, lays eggs on sandy beaches.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
CITES : Appendix I
Status : The species highly endangered because of habitat loss, disturbance from human activities and over-collection for its shell and scales.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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