top of page

Leatherback sea turtles are listed as vulnerable. These animals represent the largest extant reptile, with the largest animal recorded measuring 305 cm in total length and weighing 916 kg. They have the widest natural range of the sea turtles and are highly migratory, with some animals traveling over 10,000 miles per year.  

 

Female leatherbacks reach sexual maturity around 15 years of age and nest every 2 to 3 years.  These turtles can lay between 5 and 12 nests in a reproductive year, with an average of 80 eggs per nest. Leatherbacks are unique in that they lay smaller infertile eggs atop the larger fertilized eggs before covering the nest.

 

The leatherback nesting season on St. Kitts runs from February through July, with hatchlings emerging through the end of September and beginning of October.  Leatherbacks prefer the Atlantic side of the island for nesting, with Keys and North Friars being the highest density nesting beaches on the island. Nesting does occur on the Caribbean side of the island, although not as frequently.  

Leatherbacks (Dermochelys coriacea)
Leatherback female returning to the ocean following a nesting event on Keys Beach, St. Kitts. Photo by Kimberly Stewart. All rights reserved.
Hawksbills (Eretmochelys imbricata)

Hawksbills have been exploited for centuries because of their beautiful shell. Over-harvesting these turtles has resulted in a massive decline in their population; they are currently listed as critically endangered.  

 

Adult animals generally weigh between 45-68 kg and have a shell length of 63 to 90 cm.  Adults do not reach sexual maturity until they are 20 to 40 years of age and adult females only nest every 2 to 3 years.  They return to their natal beaches and lay an average of 5 nests in a reproductive season, with each nest containing 100 to 200 eggs.  Hawksbills nest primarily under beach vegetation such as sea grape (Coccoloba uvifera) and Machinel trees (Hippomane mancinella).

 

The hawksbill diet is comprised almost entirely of sponges, with a small contribution by other invertebrates. Hawksbills serve as keystone predators in their coral reef habitat by maintaining biodiversity and determining the structure in coral reef ecosystems.

 

Hawksbills prefer the Caribbean side of the island for nesting but occasionally nest on the Atlantic side of the island each year. Hawksbills primarily nest on St. Kitts from July through February; however, sporadic nesting can occur year round. Foraging hawksbills can be seen year round in the near shore waters.  

Foraging hawksbill sea turtle. Photo by Jason Hanley. All rights reserved.

Green sea turtles are listed as endangered 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. 

Greens prefer the Caribbean side of the island for nesting but occasionally nest on the Atlantic side of the island each year. Greens primarily nest on St. Kitts from July through February; however, sporadic nesting can occur year round. Foraging greens can be seen year round in the near shore waters.  

 

Greens (Chelonia mydas)
Foraging green sea turtle. Photo by Jason Hanley. All rights reserved.
15626381_1167175300026737_47291879304119
Loggerheads (Caretta caretta)

Loggerhead sea turtles are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN and nest along the continental shelves of Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. These animals reach 80 to 100 cm in length and 70 to 170 kg in weight. They reach sexual maturity around 17 to 33 years of age and adult females nests every 2 to 4 years. Adult females lay 3 to 6 nests in a reproductive year with around 100 to 126 eggs per nest.

As adults, loggerheads are carnivorous and their diet primarily consists of shellfish including crabs, conchs, clams, and mussels.

 

Loggerhead sightings in St. Kitts are rare with only one formal observation documented since the 1960’s, which was by the SKSTMN In Water Team in 2011. If you identify one of these animals on a snorkel or dive please be sure to contact us with the location and a photo if possible so that we can add the sighting to the database.

Juvenile loggerhead sea turtle captured in Whitehouse Bay by the SKSTMN. Photo by
Kate Walsh. All rights reserved.
bottom of page