Leatherback Sea Turtles

(Dermochelys coriacea)

The leatherback nesting season in St. Kitts begins in March of each year and runs through the end of July. Hatchlings emerge through October. Leatherbacks nest primarily on the atlantic side of the island with occasional nests found on the caribbean side. They lay between 60 and 100 eggs per nest. The eggs are around 2" in diameter and they incubate between 50 to 70 days.  Leatherbacks are listed as critically endangered (http://www.iucnredlist.org/).  As adults these turtles feed almost entirely on jellyfish.  For more information on this species click on the WIDECAST Education Leaflet below.

Hawksbill Sea Turtles

(Eretmochelys imbricata)

Status: Critically Endangered

The hawksbill nesting season in St. Kitts begins in July of each year and runs through the end of January, beginning of February. Hatchlings emerge through April. Hawksbills nest primarily on the caribbean side of the island and the southeastern peninsula. Occasionally nests are seen on the atlantic side of the island. They lay between 100 to 200 eggs per nest. The eggs are smaller than leatherback eggs, around the size of ping pong balls, and they incubate between 52 to 72 days.  Foraging juvenile hawksbills are seen in our nearshore waters year round. Hawksbills are listed as critically endangered (http://www.iucnredlist.org/).  These turtles are considered spongiores, as their diet is composed almost entirely of sponges.

Green Sea Turtles
(Chelonia mydas)
Status: Endangered

The nesting season for greens on St. Kitts has not been fully characterized. Wilkins and Meylan (1984) reported that May through October were the most common months for nesting, while  Butler (2001) reported a less lengthy season spanning only from July through October.  Green sea turtles are listed as endangered (http://www.iucnredlist.org/) worldwide.  They reach an average of 1 meter in length and weight of 136 kg Greens reach adulthood at 20 to 40 years of age.  Adult females nest every 2 to 5 years, depositing between 1 and 3 clutches comprised of 100-115 eggs.   As adults these turtles are herbivorous and routinely feed on sea grasses (Thalassia testudinum).   Green turtles are keystone species within their range and play a vital role in the proper function of the seagrass ecosystem.

Loggerhead Sea Turtles
(Caretta caretta)
Status: Threatened

The first loggerhead recorded in St. Kitts since the 1960‘s was captured foraging in Whitehouse Bay in March 2011 (See press release by clicking here).  The turtle was tagged and released.  Loggerhead sea turtles are listed as threatened (http://www.iucnredlist.org/) worldwide.  They can reach 120 cm in length and weigh up to 200 kg. Loggerheads reach adulthood at around 25 years of age.  Adult females nest every 2 to 3 years, depositing between 1 and 3 clutches comprised of 100-120 eggs.   As adults these turtles are omnivores and routinely feed on a variety of hard shelled mollusks and crustaceans.