Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)

What They Look Like
Hawksbill sea turtles are well known for their beautiful tortoise shell patterns on their shell. These sea turtles, compared with other varieties, are average in size, weighing under 180 lbs. with a carapace length of 2.0 - 3.5 ft. Hatchlings are only about 1.5 - 2.0 inches long, and weigh under 6 ounces. The beaks of other sea turtles are relatively rounded, but the beaks of Hawksbills are quite similar to the beak of predatory birds.

Where to See Them
Like other sea turtles, Hawksbill hatchlings head out to sea shortly after they emerge from their nest where they are sheltered by vegetation beds in pelagic waters until they are about a foot long and large enough to re-inhabit coastal waters. Coral reefs are widely recognized as the preferred habitat of Hawksbills and they are most frequently found in tropical regions of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Within the United States, Hawksbills are most common in Puerto Rico, southern Florida and Texas, but on rare occasions have been seen as far north as Massachusetts.

What They Eat
The primary food source of Hawksbill sea turtles are soft sea sponges that are found on coral reefs.

How They Nest
Within the continental United States, nesting in only know to occur in southeastern Florida on beaches where they typically place nests under vegetation. Juveniles and hatchlings are frequently spotted in Texas, but scientists believe these turtles originate from nesting beaches in Mexico.

Status and Threats
Hawksbill sea turtles are categorized as endangered. Harvesting hawksbills for their valuable shells is the greatest threat to the recovery of the species. In addition to being caught in fish gear themselves, destructive fishing practices also threaten these turtles, by ruining much of their preferred habitat, coral reefs.