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STJ turtle ID help

Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 10:41 am
by sandollar
Hi: Can anyone tell me the differences between "green turtle" and "hawksbill turtle? Thanks!

Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 10:51 am
by chrisn
Hawksbills upper jaws have a narrow, hooked beak. Greens have a round head and can grow quite large. The ones I saw in Maui were almost as big as my Jeep!

Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 11:49 am
by sandollar
Thanks! That's an easy one to remember! Great to know.

Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 12:25 pm
by nothintolose
sanddollar - the easiest way to tell the difference is what they are eating.

The green turtles are found eating the grass while the hawksbill are usually eating the sponges in the coral.

nothintolose