Description

• Eretmochelys imbricata, commonly known as the hawksbill sea turtle, is a marine reptile in the family Cheloniidae. It has a distinctive narrow head, a pointed, hawk-like beak, and a beautifully patterned shell with overlapping scutes in shades of amber, brown, gold, and black. Its flippers have two visible claws, and its relatively narrow body helps it manoeuvre around coral reefs. Hawksbill turtles are critically endangered, primarily because of historical exploitation for their shells and ongoing threats to their habitats.

Range

• The hawksbill sea turtle occurs in tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. In the eastern Pacific, it is recorded along the coasts of Mexico and Central America, including the waters of Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, and the surrounding area.

Habitat

• Hawksbill turtles inhabit coral reefs, rocky reefs, coastal lagoons, and other shallow marine environments. They often shelter in reef crevices and caves and use their narrow beaks to reach food hidden among coral structures. Females nest on sandy tropical beaches, sometimes beneath coastal vegetation.

Diet

• Eretmochelys imbricata feeds primarily on marine sponges, making it one of the few specialised sponge-eating sea turtles. It also consumes other invertebrates, including tunicates, jellyfish, and small marine animals, depending on local food availability. Its specialised beak allows it to extract prey from narrow reef crevices.