# Hawksbill Sea Turtle (*Eretmochelys imbricata*) The Hawksbill Sea Turtle has a stunning shell and loves to eat jellyfish. They are very graceful swimmers in the ocean! - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Coral reefs and tropical waters - **Also known as:** Carey Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle, Tortoise de mer ![Hawksbill Sea Turtle](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426226/objects/5637.jpg) ## Appearance The Hawksbill Sea Turtle has a distinctive, pointed beak-like mouth and a flattened body. Its beautiful carapace is uniquely patterned with amber, brown, and black streaks, featuring overlapping scutes along its back, making it appear jagged. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Testudines - **Order:** Testudines - **Family:** Cheloniidae - **Genus:** Eretmochelys ## Interesting facts - Baby hawksbills are tiny, fitting in your palm when they hatch! - Eating toxic sponges makes them unappetizing to most predators! - Their unique beaks are perfect for prying food from coral crevices! - They travel thousands of miles between feeding and nesting sites! ## Special abilities - **Sponge Slayer:** Hawksbill Sea Turtle can eat glass sponges because of its powerful beak and specialized esophagus that helps them avoid injury. - **Toxic Taste:** Hawksbill Sea Turtle has a diet of poisonous sponges that makes its own flesh toxic, helping them avoid predators. - **Reef Navigator:** Hawksbill Sea Turtle can skillfully navigate complex coral reefs because of its agile flippers, helping them find food and shelter. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 60-90 cm - **Weight:** 45-75 kg - **Lifespan:** 30-50 years - **Speed:** 25 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 2.5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 70-200 - **Incubation:** 50-75 days - **Maximum Depth:** 60 m ## Diet & Feeding They mostly munch on sponges and other squishy sea creatures found on coral reefs. - **Primary Foods:** sponges, sea anemones, jellyfish, mollusks, crustaceans - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Tiger Shark](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tiger-shark) (*Galeocerdo cuvier*) — A major predator of adult Hawksbill Sea Turtles. - **Eats:** Chicken Liver Sponge (*Chondrilla nucula*) — A primary food source for their specialized diet. - **Depends on:** Massive Star Coral (*Porites lutea*) — Provides critical habitat and crevices for shelter. - **Eaten by:** Ghost Crab (*Ocypode quadrata*) — Feeds on eggs and vulnerable hatchlings. ## Traits - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Armored](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/armored): Armored describes animals protected by a hard, external covering or shell for defense. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. - [Protected](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/protected): Protected status signifies a species or area is safeguarded by legal measures and conservation efforts to prevent harm or loss. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Hawksbill Sea Turtle? Compare shell shape, shell markings, head stripes and the shape of the feet. Wear, age and algae can hide shell patterns. Turtle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Hawksbill Sea Turtle? 60-90 cm ### How much does Hawksbill Sea Turtle weigh? 45-75 kg ### How long does Hawksbill Sea Turtle live? 30-50 years ### How fast can Hawksbill Sea Turtle move? 25 km/h ### What does Hawksbill Sea Turtle eat? They mostly munch on sponges and other squishy sea creatures found on coral reefs. ### How fast can Hawksbill Sea Turtle swim? 2.5 km/h ### Where is Hawksbill Sea Turtle usually found? Coral reefs and tropical waters ## Where to spot - [Albuquerque Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/albuquerque-aquarium) — New Mexico, US · Zoo - [Texas State Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/texas-state-aquarium) — Texas, US · Zoo ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Hawksbill Sea Turtle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hawksbill-sea-turtle)