Female hawksbill turtles return to their natal rookeries to breed, even though they reside at habitats located hundreds or thousands of kilometers away.
Hawksbill turtle nesting is much more dispersed than in other marine turtles, but individuals do tend to return to a particular beach season after season.
Global population genetic studies have demonstrated the tendency of female hawksbill turtles to return to breed at their natal rookery, even though as juveniles they may have foraged at developmental habitats located hundreds or thousands of kilometers from the natal beach.
Sources: (Bowen & Karl 1997; Mortimer & Donnelly, 2008; Pilcher)
Image: Gerwin Sturm
