Notes on Juvenile Hawksbill and Green Turtles in American Samoa

Abstract

Both hawksbill [Eretmochelys imbricata (L.)] and green turtles [Chelonia mydas (L.)] occur in American Samoa. Three distinct size classes were encountered in the region in both species: hatchlings <5 cm in length, juveniles 30-70 cm long, and adult females ≥77.5 cm long. Recaptures of flipper-tagged juvenile hawksbill turtles demonstrated short-distance homing movements and high growth rates (4.5 cm/yr CCL [curve of the carapace length]).