The VI Sea Turtle Project
The Sea Turtles of the Virgin Islands
There are seven species of sea turtles (flatback, green, hawksbill, leatherback, loggerhead, Kemp's ridley, and olive ridley) worldwide. All seven species of sea turtes are either endangered or critically endangered. In the Virgin Islands, two species, green (named for their green colored fat) and hawksbills (named for their beaks that resemble a bird), are commonly seen in the coral reefs and sea grass beds surrounding the islands. Leatherback sea turtles, the largest marine reptile in the world, visits the Virgin Islands annually to lay their nests. The fourth and least common sea turtle to call the Virgin Islands home is the loggerhead. Loggerhead sea turtles, called that because of their large heads, occassionally use the beaches to lay their nests.
Green Sea Turtles
Green sea turtles are the most abundant turtle in the Virgin Islands. They are most commonly observed over sea grass beds in nearshore habitats. Green sea turtle's preferrable diet consists of sea grass, sea grass, and more sea grass, making them almost exclusively vegetarian. They are an integral part of sea grass habitats keeping the grass short, healthy, and productive. Their sea grass diet makes their fat, green and is responsible for their name.
Leatherback Sea Turtles
The largest marine reptile in the world is the leatherback sea turtle. Adult leatherback sea turtles can approach one ton (2,000 pounds) when full grown. This turtle is a true ocean mariner as they spend their entire life in open ocean only coming to warm waters of the Virgin Islands to lay their eggs. Leatherback sea turtles feed exclusively on jellyfish which makes their size truly remarkable as jellyfish consist of 90% water. This is the lone sea turlte species that doesn't have a true shell but rather bone covered with hardened skin.
Hawksbill Sea Turtles
Hawksbill sea turtles owe their name to the bird like beak and their shell scutes (the individual pieces of the shell) overlap like bird feathers. It is because of their shell they are critically endangered. Their shell, known as bekko, is very beautiful and has been made into many forms of jewelry. Hawksbill sea turtles are mainly seen over coral reefs and are known as spongivores, meaning they eart primarily sponges.
Loggerhead Sea Turtles
Loggerhead sea turtles are named for their extremely large heads. They use their large heads to crush invertabrates (lobster and conch) that make up their diet. More of a subtropical than tropical sea turtle they are commonly seen in the waters around Florida but occassionaly pass through the Virgin Islands. There have been a few recorded nests on Buck Island, St. Croix.