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