Hawksbill Sea Turtle - Eretmochelys imbricata - Moving across a Shallow Reef

A Hawksbill Sea Turtle moves across a shallow reef, its pointed beak, patterned head and broad paddle-like flippers clearly visible.

The Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) has a streamlined body protected by an oval to slightly heart-shaped carapace and powerful paddle-like flippers. It is distinguished by its narrow head and strongly pointed, hooked beak, which is well adapted for reaching food hidden in cracks and crevices. The carapace is typically patterned in amber, brown, yellow and darker tones, with overlapping scutes that create a characteristic tiled appearance. Hawksbills are closely associated with tropical and subtropical coral reefs, rocky reefs and lagoons, where they feed especially on sponges as well as other marine invertebrates and algae. Adults typically reach about 60–90 centimetres in shell length.