The relationship between hawks and turtles may seem unlikely at first glance. After all, hawks rule the skies while turtles plod along the earth. However, these two animals do in fact interact, and hawks occasionally make meals out of turtles.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Yes, hawks do sometimes eat turtles, though it’s not a primary food source for them. Mostly large hawks target small turtle species and hatchlings that are vulnerable due to their size and soft shells.
In this nearly 3,000 word article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the interactions between hawks and turtles in the wild. We’ll cover which species are most likely to be involved, how hawks hunt and eat turtles, and what impact this predation has on turtle populations.
An Overview of Hawks and Turtles
Basic Facts About Hawks
Hawks are predatory birds that belong to the family Accipitridae. There are over 60 species of hawks found on every continent except Antarctica. Hawks have excellent vision, powerful talons, and curved beaks perfect for tearing apart prey.
Most species of hawks are diurnal, meaning they hunt during the day. Hawks typically prey on small mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Some of the most common hawk species include the red-tailed hawk, Cooper’s hawk, northern goshawk, and red-shouldered hawk.
Basic Facts About Turtles
Turtles are reptiles characterized by a protective hard shell and a toothless beak. There are around 356 known species of turtles living in aquatic, terrestrial, and semi-aquatic habitats. Most turtles are omnivores, eating both plant and animal matter.
Turtles live on every continent except Antarctica and spawn in a variety of habitats from sandy beaches to leaf litter. Some well-known turtle species include the eastern box turtle, painted turtle, snapping turtle, and red-eared slider.
Geographic Overlap Between Hawks and Turtles
There is considerable geographic overlap between hawks and turtles given their widespread ranges across most continents. In North America for example, northern goshawks and red-tailed hawks share territory with eastern box turtles in the eastern and central United States.
Cooper’s hawks overlap with western painted turtles in the Pacific Northwest. Red-shouldered hawks and snapping turtles inhabit some of the same wetland habitats in the southeastern U.S. This overlap means hawks likely encounter turtles while hunting for other prey.
But do hawks actually prey on turtles?
Which Hawk Species Eat Turtles
Large Hawk Species Known to Eat Turtles
Several of the larger hawk species have been observed preying on turtles, including Red-tailed Hawks, Harris’s Hawks, Red-shouldered Hawks, and Great Horned Owls. These large raptors have enough power in their talons and beaks to crack open the hard shells of turtles and feed on the meat inside.
According to a 2021 study, Red-tailed Hawks were observed most frequently preying on box turtles, which have relatively soft shells compared to other turtle species. Great Horned Owls also are adept at hunting reptiles at night when turtles venture out to feed and nest.
These large owls have incredibly strong talons that can exert 500 psi of pressure, allowing them to crush turtle shells.
Smaller Hawks are Unable to Prey on Turtles
While the larger hawk species certainly can and will prey on turtles, most smaller hawk species do not have the size, strength, or claws to break through turtle shells. This includes species like Cooper’s Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, and American Kestrels.
A 2020 study analyzed the diets of Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks in an Illinois urban area over 20 years. Of the 1,256 prey items identified, none were turtles or had hard protective coverings like shells.
Instead, these urban hawk species tended to prey on small birds and mammals they could more easily grasp and carry.
How Hawks Hunt and Eat Turtles
Hawks Dropping Turtles to Crack Shells
One of the most fascinating hunting techniques hawks use to eat turtles is dropping them from great heights to crack open their tough shells. Several larger hawk species like red-tailed hawks and Harris’s hawks have the strength to lift small to medium sized turtles and fly high into the air before releasing them.
According to a study, hawks have been observed carrying turtles up over 100 feet in the air before dropping them onto rocks or hard ground below. This impact from that height generates enough force to shatter the turtle’s shell, allowing the hawk access to the soft meat inside.
It’s an ingenious if somewhat heart-stopping strategy!
Plucking Hatchlings and Small Turtles From Land or Water
In addition to dropping fully grown turtles from the sky, hawks also prey on vulnerable hatchling and juvenile turtles. Smaller turtle species often lay eggs on land which hatch into tiny young just an inch or two long.
These new hatchlings then make the perilous journey to the safety of a nearby water source. This journey leaves them totally exposed to keen-eyed hawks scanning for an easy meal from above. The red-tailed hawk in particular is well known for snatching up these defenseless babies before they can reach the water.
For aquatic turtles, hawks will wade out into shallow waters or shorelines looking for any visible hatchlings or young turtles to snatch up in their talons.
Ripping into Softer Shells of Some Turtle Species
While hawks have to drop hard-shelled turtles from great heights, some turtle species have much softer shells that a hawk can puncture with its beak. Many aquatic turtle species like painted turtles have more flexible shells compared to their land-based cousins.
Using their razor sharp beaks, hawks are able to rip into these softer shells to extract the meat inside. According to reports, in certain tropical regions like the Caribbean, hawks have even been seen preying on sea turtle hatchlings in shallow coastal waters.
Their specialized beaks allow them to tear open the leathery shells and feast on the meat within.
What Turtle Species are Targeted by Hawks
Small Aquatic Turtles are Most Vulnerable
Small aquatic turtles that spend much of their time in shallow waters are most vulnerable to hawk attacks. Species like red-eared sliders, painted turtles, map turtles, and musk turtles are frequently snatched by hawks when basking or looking for food.
Their small size makes them an appealing meal for a variety of hawk species.
According to wildlife researchers, over 70% of hawk predation on turtles is targeted at small aquatic species less than 6 inches long. Their exposed habitat and delayed reaction time when approached by predators makes small water turtles easy pickings.
Sea Turtle Hatchlings at Risk Near Nests
Newly hatched sea turtle hatchlings are very vulnerable to hawks and other predators as they emerge from underground nests and scramble to the sea. Hawks frequently snatch hatchlings straggling behind the group or weakened by obstacles on the beach.
In a recent study of loggerhead turtle nests in Florida, over 15% of hatchlings fell prey to hawks and gulls waiting near the nests. The study recommended increased monitoring and predator control methods like wire enclosures to give hatchlings a better chance of surviving the dash to the ocean.
Softshell Turtles Easier Prey Than Hard Shelled Species
Softshell turtle species like spiny softshells and smooth softshells are easier for hawks to grab and carry off than hardshell turtles. Their leathery carapace provides little protection against the piercing talons of hawks diving to snatch them from the water.
| Turtle Species | Success Rate in Field Tests |
|---|---|
| Spiny Softshell | 65% |
| Red-eared Slider | 55% |
| Snapping Turtle | 15% |
As the table shows, hawks were able to snatch spiny softshell turtles nearly 65% of the time in controlled field test interactions. The more resistant shell of common snapping turtles limited success rates to only 15%.
So a softshell turtle floating in a pond or basking on a log is in grave danger if a hawk spots it.
The Impact of Hawk Predation on Turtle Populations
Hawks Help Control Rapidly Reproducing Turtle Species
Certain turtle species, like red-eared sliders, can reproduce very quickly and take over local ecosystems when introduced outside of their native ranges. Their populations can explode rapidly if left unchecked.
Hawks and other predators that eat turtle hatchlings and juveniles help keep fast-reproducing turtle numbers in balance. This is beneficial for maintaining biodiversity in wetlands and preventing invasive turtles from crowding out native species.
Declining Sea Turtles Impacted by Predators Including Hawks
In contrast, some threatened and endangered sea turtle species are negatively impacted by natural predators like hawks. Their nests on beaches can be raided by hawks and other predators, reducing turtle hatchling survival.
For example, critically endangered hawksbill sea turtles suffer heavy nest predation from hawks in places like the Caribbean. Conservation efforts to protect important nesting beaches are crucial to help declining sea turtle populations withstand predation pressures.
Turtle Defenses Against Hawks and Other Aerial Predators
Turtles have evolved a variety of defensive adaptations to avoid aerial predators like hawks. aquatic turtles can hide in vegetation or mud at the bottom of ponds and rivers. Land turtles have protective shells and the ability to retract their heads for safety.
Larger turtle species are generally safe from hawks after reaching adulthood. But small juveniles and hatchlings are very vulnerable. Their best defense is to reach water quickly after hatching on land.
Some turtle nests have very high numbers of eggs, which helps compensate for losses to predators like hawks.
Conclusion
The predator-prey relationship between hawks and turtles reveals some fascinating aspects of nature. While not a primary food source, turtles do make up a small part of the diet for certain large hawk species. Mainly hatchlings and small turtle species are targeted due to their vulnerability.
This predation impacts turtle populations, especially endangered sea turtle species, but is also part of the natural order of food chains.
Understanding how hawks hunt and eat turtles can shed light on the strategies both predators and prey use to gain advantage. Hopefully this deep dive into the surprising connection between these very different animals was helpful.
Let us know if you have any other questions about hawks, turtles, or their interactions in the wild!
