Hawksbill Sea Turtle - Eretmochelys imbricata - Resting above the Reef

A Hawksbill Sea Turtle rests above a shallow reef, its distinctive pointed beak and beautifully patterned shell clearly visible.

The Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) has a flattened, streamlined body protected by an oval to somewhat heart-shaped carapace and powerful paddle-like flippers. It is distinguished by its narrow head and strongly pointed, hooked beak, which is adapted for reaching food in crevices of coral and rocky reefs. The carapace is typically patterned in shades of amber, brown, yellow and black, with overlapping scutes that give the shell a characteristic tiled appearance. Hawksbills inhabit tropical and subtropical coastal waters, particularly coral reefs, lagoons and rocky areas, where they feed mainly on sponges along with other marine invertebrates and algae. Adults generally reach around 60–90 centimetres in shell length.