Species Spotlight: Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) Grand Cayman, Caribbean, Atlantic Ocean

Questions and Answers

Where do hawksbill turtles get their name?
Hawksbill turtles are named for their narrow pointed beak.

Where do hawksbill turtles live?
Hawksbill turtles are found throughout the world’s tropical oceans, mostly in coral reefs.

What do hawksbills feed on?
They feed mainly on sponges by using their narrow pointed beaks to extract them from crevices on coral reefs, but also eat sea anemones and jellyfish.

 

  • Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), Red Sea, Egypt

    Habitat

    Hawksbills are found mainly throughout the world's tropical oceans, predominantly in coral reefs.

  • Hawksbill turtle

    Diet

    Hawksbill turtles feed mainly on sponges by using their narrow pointed beaks to extract them from crevices on the reef, but also eat sea anemones and jellyfish.

  • Hawksbill Turtle, female heading back to the sea after laying eggs

    Threats

    Entanglement in fishing nets and lines is among the greatest threats to sea turtles worldwide.

  • Hawksbill turtle

    Interesting Fact

    Critically endangered hawksbill turtles continue to be killed for their shells, sold as “tortoiseshell” jewelry and ornaments in markets.

How You Can Help

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Adopt a Sea Turtle

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Learn more about hawksbill turtles

 

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