Hawksbill turtles can be distinguished from other sea turtles by their extra prefrontal scales, extra forelimb claws, overlapping scutes, and elongated, sharp beaks.
Hawksbill turtles have five features that distinguish them from other sea turtles.
The heads of hawksbill turtles have two pairs of prefrontal scales, compared to the one pair of prefrontal scales of the green turtle.
Hawksbill turtles also have two claws on each of their forelimbs and thick, overlapping scutes on their carapaces, which also have four pairs of costal scutes.
The elongated mouth of the hawksbill turtle resembles a beak that tapers off to a sharp point at the end. This contrasts with the short, rounded beak of the green turtle.
Sources: (Edelman, 2004; Ernst, Lovich, Barbour, 1994; Turtle Trax, 2005; Wikimedia Foundation, 2018; WWF)
Image: Tchami
