Species Spotlight: Hawksbill Turtle

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

Questions and Answers

When do marine turtles come ashore?
Once mature, male turtles never leave the sea, but females come ashore to lay eggs – typically on the same sandy beach where they hatched.

Where are marine turtles found?
Marine turtles are found in most of the world’s oceans except for the cold polar seas and tend to spend their lives in relatively shallow continental shelf waters.

How does climate change affect marine turtles?
Climate change impacts nesting sites by altering sand temperatures, which affects the gender of hatchlings.

Habitat

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

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

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