Domain: Eukarya Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Testudines Family: Cheloniidae Genus: Eretmochelys Species: E. Imbricata

Domain : Eukarya Kingdom : Animalia Phylum : Chordata Class : Reptilia Order : Testudines Family : Cheloniidae Genus : Eretmochelys Species : E. imbricata

Characteristics & Environment • Ectothermic • Has bilateral symmetry • Carapace is oval shaped, with thick overlapping scutes and four pairs of costal scutes • Two claws on each forelimbs • Bird-like pointy beak and narrow head • Head has two pairs of prefrontal scales • Male turtles are distinguished by a brighter pigmentation, a concave plastron, long claws and a thicker tail. • Live in open and coastal waters, sandy beaches and island • Feed on sponges, sea anemones, squids and shrimps

Threats

Creating awareness

• Illegal capture of juvenile and adult turtles for beautiful carapace used in jewellery making • Consumption of eggs and turtles • Overfishing and pollution from sewage destroy coral reefs which are habitats of turtles • Adult turtles eaten by crocodile, sharks, large fishes. Juvenile preyed on by flocks of gulls and large crabs • Nests are disturbed by dogs, racoons and rats

• Amongst fishermen – collecting eggs without license is illegal and encourage them to report any illegal poaching to WWF • Amongst local community – urge the local to stop eating turtle eggs stop using jewelleries made up of turtle shells • Social media – spread news about endangered species to more people and fund-raising for awareness campaigns and conservation activities