Human and Environmental Threats
The Hawksbill sea turtle faces many threats from the beginning of life until death. Raccoons, crabs, and ants raid eggs and hatchlings still in the nest.
Once they emerge, birds, crabs, and ocean predators make meals out of the hatchlings. After reaching adulthood, the turtles are usually immune to attacks from predators, except for the occasional shark attack. These natural threats, however, are not the reason for the decrease in Hawksbill sea turtles. These are caused by humans.
In many costal communities across the globe, especially in Central America and Asia, these turtles are killed for their rich meat, and their eggs are also taken to be eaten. Environmental threats such as polluting the ocean also cause turtles to die from ingestion of plastic.
Once they emerge, birds, crabs, and ocean predators make meals out of the hatchlings. After reaching adulthood, the turtles are usually immune to attacks from predators, except for the occasional shark attack. These natural threats, however, are not the reason for the decrease in Hawksbill sea turtles. These are caused by humans.
In many costal communities across the globe, especially in Central America and Asia, these turtles are killed for their rich meat, and their eggs are also taken to be eaten. Environmental threats such as polluting the ocean also cause turtles to die from ingestion of plastic.