Is this a hawksbill turtle?

[Chris Holt]

I took this photo recently in Tortugas reef in Playa del Carmen Mexico. My logic that it is a hawksbill is that it appears to have a pronounced beak, has 2 claws and seems to have an overlapping shell. Would really appreciate it if someone could help me confirm its identity.

Thanks!


http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/196043/title/turtle-pic/cat/510
(sorry for the poor picture quality, its a screenshot from a video I took)

EDIT: I uploaded a video of the turtle in case you were interested https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai0AJP25ZDs

 

[vincent54]

Look at the scales between the eyes. Green sea turtles have 2 large conspicuous scales and the hawksbill has 4. I can't tell from the pic. The shell markings can be similar , but your picture shows a pronounced beak. Most likely it is a Hawksbill, they love to eat the reef sponges. Definitely not a Ridley or Loggerhead. cool pic anyhow. Cheers

 

[agilis]

Yes, it's a Hawksbill.

 

[diver 85]

Vincent--------the scales you are referring to, are these them(4)--between the eyes??---ie a hawksbill here??............tia...

[/URL]tagged hawksbill CU...LC 2007 by GEAUXtiger, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

[vincent54]

Correct, the scales between the eyes. Here is a C. Mydas(Green) from Hawaii courtesy of ColdWater image that shows the 2 big scales. Hawksbill will have the 4. The beak isn't as pronounced either.

 

[Chris Holt]

btw I uploaded a video of the turtle in case you were interested https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai0AJP25ZDs