Study on Nesting Biology Considerations of Hawksbill SeaTurtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) Linnaeus, 1766 in the Hormoz Island- Persian Gulf

This study discusses the nesting of Hawksbill turtle (E. imbricata) in spawning season in Hormoz Island, in spring 2007. During night Patrols, the egg-laying turtles and their eggs as well as their biometry were identified. Therefore, scroll data of the number of returns, returned kind, beds that selected for nesting, spawning times, temperature, air moisture and nests depth, in the nesting period as well as Carapace length straight length, carapace wide, and weight of turtles, total eggs, normal eggs, abnormal number of eggs, and their thicknesses, and nest’s depth were recorded. Results showed that turtles mean weight was 42± 5 kg, carapace curve length was 72± 5 cm, carapace direct length was 66± 5 cm. Total number of eggs were 93± 40, normal eggs were 72± 40, abnormal eggs were 20± 15, and mean of eggs thickness are 36.8± 4 mm, thickness of biggest eggs (normal eggs) was 41.5 mm, and smallest egg (abnormal egg) was 5 mm. The results showed that there is a significant correlation within the carapace curve length and straight length, carapace curve length and weight, total egg number and normal egg. More over, there is a week reverse relation between normal and abnormal egg number. Most frequency of spawning turtles length were 62 to 70 cm and most frequency between spawning turtles’ weight were 42 to 45 kg. Only 34 cases of 292 recorded turtles (11.6%) laid eggs in the island coasts.