Description :

There are more than 300 species of turtles worldwide: 250 are aquatic (living in or near water), 60 are terrestrial, and only 7 live in the sea (marine turtles). Easily identifiable by their shells, they belong to the order Chelonia. Their shell, composed of bony plates, is part of their skeleton and is covered on the outside with keratin scales.

Turtles are often seen as symbols of wisdom, immortality, and fertility. Historically, they were used for food and traditional medicine. In the Caribbean, turtle fishing intensified during colonization. Today, they are very rare and considered endangered.

Habitat :

Terrestrial, aquatic, and marine turtles are found on all continents and oceans except Antarctica. They generally prefer tropical and subtropical environments. In the Caribbean and French Guiana waters, 5 of the 7 marine turtle species worldwide are present: Loggerhead Turtle, Green Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle, Olive Ridley Turtle, and Leatherback Turtle. Four of them use these territories’ beaches to nest: Leatherback, Hawksbill, Green, and Olive Ridley.

Threats :

In addition to exploitation for food, traditional medicine, and handicrafts (scales, perfumes, beauty products), turtles face threats from egg collection, accidental capture in fishing nets, and general habitat degradation (polluted water, ingestion of plastic bags mistaken for jellyfish, causing intestinal blockage).

To combat overexploitation, a marine turtle restoration and management plan has been adopted in the French Caribbean. Since 2005, it is illegal in all French territories to possess, transport, trade, sell, or buy marine turtles or their eggs, whether for commercial or personal purposes. English-speaking islands have allowed regulated turtle fishing outside nesting seasons, maintaining a cultural tradition while controlling exploitation.

Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) :

The Hawksbill weighs 60–90 kg and measures 60–120 cm. It is omnivorous, feeding on sponges that make its skin toxic to humans—a trait that has historically kept poachers away. Its large overlapping scales resemble roof tiles, with 13 large dorsal plates and smaller black scales on the limbs. Four prefrontal scales are visible just above the eyes. Its rear shell edge is serrated, and it has a hooked beak (hence the nickname “Hawksbill Turtle”), which allows it to tear its food in the absence of teeth.

Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) :

The Green Turtle is the largest of the cheloniids. Its weight ranges from 160 to 250 kg, and its length from 80 to 130 cm. As juveniles, green turtles are primarily carnivorous, feeding on small crustaceans and fish. As adults, they become herbivorous, mainly consuming marine plants. They are named for the unusual green color of their flesh, which is caused by their diet.

Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea):

The Leatherback Turtle is the only species in the family Dermochelyidae. It is the largest of all marine turtles, reaching up to 400 kg and exceeding 2 meters in length. Its shell is not covered with scales but with a tough, leathery skin.