There are seven species of marine turtle in the world. Six of these species occur in the Pacific,
although only three are seen regularly in the Solomon Islands. Those turtles seen most often in
Solomon Islands are the hawksbill, leatherback and green.

Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)

Unfortunately for the hawksbill turtle, it has the most beautiful shell of all the marine
turtles. This turtle continues to be hunted for its red, brown and black patterned shell
for use in many crafts and ornaments. Hawksbills are found in tropical oceans near
rocky and coral reefs where they feed on soft corals, sponges, octopus and squids. The
hawksbill turtle grows to a maximum weight of only 80 kilograms, and a maximum
length of 1 meter.

Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)

This is the largest of the marine turtles. Adult leatherbacks can reach 500 kilograms
or more in weight, and up to meters in length. Unlike the shells of many species, this
turtle has a leathery back with distinct ridges. Leatherbacks are found in cooler waters
such as those off the east coast of Canada and the United States, but return to tropical
beaches to lay their eggs. Leatherbacks eat mainly jellyfish and other soft-bodied
invertebrates. This turtle is so unique among marine turtles that is has its own family,
Dermochelys.

Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)

The green turtle is found in all tropical waters, although there are limited nesting sites for
this turtle throughout the Pacific. It is very commonly hunted in Pacific Islands for its
meat. Green turtles can grow to 0 kilograms in weight and 1 0 centimeters in length.
They are the second largest kind of seas turtle in the world. As adults these turtles eat
mainly sea grass, but as juveniles feed on crustaceans and molluscs.

Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta)

The loggerhead turtle is found in both tropical and sub-tropical waters. It eats crabs,
shrimps, mollusks, fish and sea cucumbers. Major loggerhead nesting grounds are
in eastern Australia, New Caledonia and southern Japan. Fishermen and divers
occasionally see it in the Solomon Islands.

Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)

The Olive Ridley turtle is the smallest of all sea turtles and is found in the warmer waters
of all oceans, including the western and eastern Pacific. Some turtles of this species nest
in the Pacific, although not often in the Solomon Islands. This turtle eats crustaceans,
mollusks, and jellyfish and sometimes, plants.

Flatback Turtle (Natador depressus)

The flatback turtle is found in waters of northern Australia and Papua New Guinea. It
eats crustaceans and other invertebrates. It is also one of the few species that eat sea
cucumbers.

Kemp’s Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii)

The Kemp Ridley turtle is small like the Olive Ridley but nests on the beaches of the cool
waters of the Atlantic off the coast of the south-east United States and Central America.
This turtle eats mainly crabs.