Green and hawksbill

Green and hawksbill

ENDANGERED SPECIES OF TURTLES OF THE RED SEA

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Text and photos KLAUDYNA BRZOSTOWSKA

Most likely, anyone who has dived into the waters of Egypt has encountered a turtle of some sort. Chances are it was a long encounter, and the animal itself was bold and eager to interact. These animals often live on reefs or feed among grasses. It would seem that turtle populations in Egypt are doing well, however, this is not entirely true...

STATUS

Scientists currently recognise seven living species of sea turtles around the world. Five of these can be found in the Red Sea. The most common are the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate). Less common are leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) and the olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea). The first listed species has endangered status with a declining population trend. The latter is critically endangered – both are listed by the IUCN (The International Union for Conservation of Nature – https://www.iucnredlist.org).

Photographic identification remains the main method for obtaining data on endangered species. It allows us to identify each individual turtle by photographing and characterising its body parts. By identifying each individual, we can learn about their movement patterns and, above all, whether they tend to return to the same area. By knowing where they go, we learn where to protect these globally endangered species.

GREEN TURTLE

The name green turtle does not come from the colour of the carapace, which is usually brown or olive, depending on the habitat, but from the greenish colour of the skin. Weighing up to 300 kilograms, green turtles are among the largest sea turtles in the world. Their proportionally small head (which they cannot hide!) protrudes from a heart-shaped carapace that measures up to 150 centimetres. Males are slightly larger than females and have a longer tail. Both have paddle-like flippers, making them powerful swimmers. Adult green turtles are the only herbivorous sea turtles. As younglings they are carnivorous, feeding on snails and ctenophores. As adults they eat seaweed and sea grasses. A well-known diving site in Egypt, Abu Dabbab, is home to many green turtles. They stay there to feed on the extensive seagrasses and rest in the bay. Often, around 10 large green turtles can be seen on a single dive at Abu Dabbab.

HAWKSBILL TURTLE

The hawksbill turtle has a beautiful carapace that caused it to be hunted almost to extinction. The hawksbill was prized for its shell, which was used in combs, brushes, fans and furniture. Today, the hawksbill turtle is listed as critically endangered, meaning that commercial trade is prohibited. These animals are named for the shape of their beak, which is similar to a raptor's beak.

You can find interesting facts, research and photos related to sea turtle conservation in Egypt under the following links: — https://www.medasset.org/support/ — https://www.hepca.org/projects/project/115

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