Reproduction
The female hawksbill turtles travel as far as 2400 kilometers between the feeding and breeding grounds. They return to the beaches they were born (natal beaches) to breed. They only breed once every two to four years but may nest up to six times. On average they lay about 120 eggs in each clutch. However, the gender of the hatchlings depend on the temperature of the nest.
The nesting season for hawksbill turtles lasts for about six months (which is far longer than any other turtle's) and usually occurs between July and October. Hawksbill Sea Turtles gather together to mate. Some of them even travel together
to their nesting and breeding grounds.
Their nesting behaviour follows a sequence that is common to that of other turtle species: emergence from the sea, site selection, site clearing and pit construction, egg chamber construction, egg laying, filling in the egg chamber, disguising the nest site, and returning to sea. This process can take up to 3 hours.
Once the hatchlings reach the water, they remain solitary until they find a mate.
The nesting season for hawksbill turtles lasts for about six months (which is far longer than any other turtle's) and usually occurs between July and October. Hawksbill Sea Turtles gather together to mate. Some of them even travel together
to their nesting and breeding grounds.
Their nesting behaviour follows a sequence that is common to that of other turtle species: emergence from the sea, site selection, site clearing and pit construction, egg chamber construction, egg laying, filling in the egg chamber, disguising the nest site, and returning to sea. This process can take up to 3 hours.
Once the hatchlings reach the water, they remain solitary until they find a mate.