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
• 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
Creating awareness
• 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