Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine October 2018 | Page 48

Antigua’s
National
Sea Creature
- Hawksbill Turtle -
This turtle is distinguished from other turtles
by its narrow pointed beak and because the
shell often has a jagged edge towards the rear.
As the shell has a bright mottled colouration
(brown, orange and gold) it is known as
‘Tortoise-shell’. It has been much prized
for handicrafts in making earrings, combs,
spectacle frames, jewel boxes and suchlike;
hence this turtle has now been placed on
the endangered species list. It is not as good
eating as the green turtle, which is also
endangered.
At the time of the Caribs and the earlier
Arawaks and archaic peoples, Hawksbill turtles
(then known as Carets) were nesting in Waladli
(Antigua) and Wa’omoni (Barbuda). They were
prized, and perceived as a gift from their gods.
Prehistoric seamen wore turtle motif jewelry in
the belief that swimming prowess would thus
be bestowed upon them.
Healthy coral reefs are very important to the
survival of hawksbills, as one of their main
foods are the sponges found growing on
reefs. These sea turtles grow to about 3 feet in
length with a weight of 175 lbs.
The largest nesting concentration of
Hawksbills in the Caribbean is at Pasture Bay
on Long Island. Here the Jumby Bay Resort
supports the tagging of turtles for scie ntific
purposes from June to December, the primary
laying season. Females leave the water and
retreat to dig holes under the Seaside Grapes,
into which they lay their eggs. Baby turtles
grow up in clumps of sea-weed far offshore,
but many become food for other sea creatures.
Source: antiguahistory.net