SEA TURTLES OF KAUA'I

A Few Sea Turtle Facts

Honu, (Hawaiian for sea turtle) once widespread throughout the islands, are now a threatened species with fewer than 1,200 turtles making up the known breeding population. Hawaiian honu are unique in spending their entire lives within the Hawaiian island chain - all other green turtles engage in international migrations, making it more difficult to protect them. Sea turtles can be found around Kaua`i when snorkeling, diving or sometimes just walking along the beach.

Females nest two to three times during a season, average clutch of eggs is 100 to 110. Expect only 1 to 2 percent of these to reach adulthood. A female will only breed every two to four years.

The male turtle can be distinguished from the female by a longer tail extending beyond the hind flippers.

Over 90% of the Hawaiian sea turtles swim greater then 800 miles to the French Frigate Shoals to breed and lay eggs.

Hatchlings weigh about 1 ounce when they leave the nest and head to the sea.

When they are active, they must swim to the ocean surface to breathe every few minutes. When they are resting, they can remain underwater for as long as 2½ hours without breathing. Often found resting in caves or under ledges in deep water.

They are the largest hard-shelled sea turtle. Adults of this species commonly reach 40 inches in carapace length and 330 pounds. The average size of a female nesting at the French Frigate Shoals was reported in 1980 to be 36 inches straight carapace length, with an average body weight of 250 pounds.

Due to their size and swiftness in the water, adults have only two predators: sharks and people. Tiger sharks regularly feed on all sizes.

Listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. In 1978, the Hawaiian population was listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973. For more information click here on green sea turtles.