hawksbill

The hawksbill sea turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata, is a migratory marine reptile in tropical oceans. Named for its long, hawk-like beak and for the overlapping scutes on its carapace, the shell pattern is variable and historically valued as tortoiseshell.

Adults typically measure 70–95 cm in carapace length and weigh 40–70 kg. The carapace has overlapping scutes with mottled brown, amber, and reddish markings. They inhabit clear warm waters around coral reefs, seagrass beds, and coastal areas, and migrate between foraging and nesting sites.

They feed mainly on sponges, using their beak to pry prey from crevices. This specialized diet can influence reef ecology by regulating sponge populations.

Nesting females return to natal beaches to lay eggs, often in colonies. They may nest every 2–3 years, with multiple clutches per season; each clutch has about 100 eggs. Incubation is roughly 50–70 days and is temperature dependent for offspring sex.

Conservation status and threats: The hawksbill is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Primary threats include illegal harvesting for tortoiseshell, bycatch in longline and net fisheries, habitat loss from coastal development, and climate-induced skewed sex ratios. International trade is restricted under CITES Appendix I; numerous countries protect nesting beaches and implement bycatch reduction measures.