Hawksbill Turtle

Age-Old Hawksbill Turtle

This old Hawksbill Turtle is missing its left front flipper.

This Turtle has a sharp, pointed beak and overlapping shell plates that create a jagged edge. Its shell is patterned with yellow-brown, fan-like markings. It has two pairs of plates between its eyes, and adult males can be identified by their long tails.

The Hawksbill Turtle primarily feeds on sponges, using its sharp, pointed beak. When active, it surfaces every few minutes to breathe, but while resting, it can stay underwater for up to six hours. It spends nearly its entire life in the water, with females coming ashore only every few years to lay eggs, always returning to where they were born. Its population is critically endangered due to habitat loss and human impact.