The Western Australian Museum acknowledges and respects the Traditional Owners of their ancestral lands, waters and skies.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that this digital guide may include images, sounds, and names of now deceased persons.

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Curiosity and the Turtle

Creature Focus:                Hawksbill Turtle

Scientific Name:               Eretmochelys imbricata

Habitat:                                Warm and tropical coral reefs

Conservation Status:      Critically endangered

Threats:                               Ocean pollution, climate change, habitat destruction, poaching.

 

Researcher Note: 

The hawksbill turtle has the prettiest shell of all turtles.  Their shells were used to make “tortoiseshell” boxes and combs.

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Hero Objects

In a wide shallow display case on the Museum's floor are many colourful coral resting on sand.

Coral reef life box

Coral communities

In the corridor leading to the Down Under gallery is a white wall with a sculpture of coral on it. Colours are projected onto it.

Coral Wall

Interactive Experience

The blue room

The Blue Room

Interactive Experience

A yellow measuring tape extends across the width of the photo. Swimming just above it is a turtle. The sea bed is covered in coral.

Turtle.
Credit: WA Museum