Hawksbill turtle

Distributed in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. There are only small numbers in Japan, however, nesting occurs on the main island of Okinawa southwards. The turtle’s carapace with its yellow and black patterns was used for bekko-zaiku (tortoise-shell work). Its pointed beak resembles a crow’s beak (Garasa) and in Okinawan dialect the turtle is called Garasa-gami. In 2012, successful breeding of this species took place at Churaumi Aquarium leading to a breeding award from the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums.