Sea Turtle Facts

What is a turtle shell made of? A honu shell is living bone fused to the spine and ribs, covered in keratin scutes. Here is how a sea turtle shell is built and why it never comes off.

Turtle snorkeling off Waikiki gives you a view found almost nowhere else, with honu below and Diamond Head and the Honolulu skyline above. Here is what makes it special.

What is a group of turtles called? Most often a bale. Learn where the word comes from, why sea turtles are mostly solitary, and the rare times honu actually gather.

Are sea turtles reptiles? Yes. Learn what makes the Hawaiian honu a true reptile, from air breathing lungs and cold blooded biology to scales and eggs laid on land.

Can sea turtles live out of water? Honu breathe air but cannot live on land. Learn how long a sea turtle can safely stay ashore, why they bask, and what to do if you see one.

How many eggs do sea turtles lay? A Hawaiian honu lays about 100 eggs per nest and may nest several times a season. Here is the full story behind a sea turtle nest.