Taxidermy Hawksbill Turtle

Log #5721

Latin: Eretmochelys imbricata

Size: Measures approx. 77cm x 52cm x 13cm

Description: Excellent Victorian specimen of a taxidermy Hawksbill Turtle. A large mature specimen with highly polished shell. This species would normally need an article 10 licence to be offered for sale but this example is exempt due to it's age. (pre 1947).

The hawksbill sea turtle is a critically endangered sea turtle belonging to the family Cheloniidae. It is the only extant species in the genus Eretmochelys. The hawksbill's appearance is similar to that of other marine turtles, having a generally flattened body shape, a protective carapace, and flipper-like arms, adapted for swimming in the open ocean. Hawksbill shells slightly change colors, depending on water temperature. While this turtle lives part of its life in the open ocean, it spends more time in shallow lagoons and coral reefs. Human fishing practices threaten populations with extinction. The World Conservation Union classifies the hawksbill as critically endangered, due to Hawksbill shells being the primary source of tortoiseshell material used for decorative purposes.

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