# Hawksbill Sea Turtle (*Eretmochelys imbricata*)

> The hawksbill is a small sea turtle of tropical coral reefs worldwide, named for its narrow, bird-like beak. It grows to about 0.9 m (3 ft) and 45 to 90 kg, feeds mainly on sponges, and can swim at up to 24 km/h (15 mph). Hawksbills live 30 to 50 years in the wild and are Critically Endangered, largely because their beautiful shells were harvested for tortoiseshell.

- **Category:** Reptile
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Critically Endangered
- **Range:** Tropical coral reefs worldwide — nesting beaches in Caribbean, Indo-Pacific, and Red Sea.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/hawksbill-turtle/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Reptilia
- **Order:** Testudines
- **Family:** Cheloniidae
- **Genus:** Eretmochelys

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Eretmochelys imbricata |
| Diet | Carnivore — sponges, jellyfish, algae, and anemones |
| Habitat | Tropical coral reefs worldwide |
| Lifespan | 30–50 years in the wild |
| Weight | 45–90 kg (100–200 lb); smaller than loggerheads |
| Top speed | Up to 24 km/h (15 mph) swimming |
| Conservation status | Critically Endangered (IUCN) |

## Appearance and the tortoiseshell shell

The hawksbill is instantly recognised by its overlapping, amber-and-brown scutes, which form the patterned shell long prized as "tortoiseshell". Its jaws taper to a sharp, hooked beak that works like a pair of scissors, and the rear of the shell is serrated like the teeth of a saw. Adults reach around 0.9 m (3 ft) in shell length and 45 to 90 kg, making them smaller than the bulky loggerhead.

## A sponge specialist

Hawksbills are one of the very few animals that eat sponges as the core of their diet, using that narrow beak to reach into reef crevices. They also take jellyfish, sea anemones, and algae, and are tolerant of toxins that would poison most predators. By grazing sponges that would otherwise overgrow corals, hawksbills help keep reef surfaces open for reef-building coral.

## Coral reef habitat

Hawksbills favour tropical coral reefs, rocky areas, lagoons, and mangrove estuaries across the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. They are strong, agile swimmers that reach speeds of up to 24 km/h (15 mph) and squeeze into tight reef spaces where larger turtles cannot follow. Individuals often show strong fidelity to particular reefs, returning to the same feeding grounds year after year.

## Nesting and reproduction

Females come ashore on remote tropical beaches, usually at night, digging a pit and laying clutches that can exceed 100 eggs. The sex of the hatchlings is set by nest temperature, with warmer sand producing more females. Hatchlings emerge after about two months and scramble to the sea, but only a tiny fraction survive to adulthood, and females may not breed until they are decades old.

## Why it is Critically Endangered

The hawksbill is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, and its population has fallen sharply over the last century. The main driver was the tortoiseshell trade, which killed vast numbers for jewellery and ornaments, and demand persists illegally today. Habitat loss, coral-reef decline, egg collection, and entanglement in fishing gear continue to threaten the species despite international protection.

## Lifespan and slow maturity

Hawksbills are long-lived, reaching 30 to 50 years in the wild, but they mature slowly and reproduce late. This slow life history means populations recover very gradually, so losses from hunting or bycatch take decades to replace. Protecting nesting beaches and reducing illegal shell trade are therefore central to any recovery.

## Frequently asked questions

### Why is the hawksbill turtle endangered?

Hawksbills are Critically Endangered mainly because of the historic tortoiseshell trade, which killed huge numbers for their patterned shells. Ongoing threats include illegal shell sales, loss of coral-reef habitat, egg poaching, and accidental capture in fishing gear.

### What do hawksbill turtles eat?

Hawksbills are specialists that feed mainly on sponges, which most animals avoid. They also eat jellyfish, sea anemones, and algae, using their narrow, beak-like jaws to reach prey inside reef crevices.

### How big do hawksbill turtles get?

Adult hawksbills reach about 0.9 m (3 ft) in shell length and weigh roughly 45 to 90 kg (100 to 200 lb). They are noticeably smaller than loggerhead and green turtles.

### How long do hawksbill turtles live?

In the wild hawksbills live around 30 to 50 years. They mature slowly and breed late in life, which makes their populations slow to recover from losses.

### Why is it called a hawksbill turtle?

The name comes from its narrow, pointed beak, which curves like a hawk's bill. This sharp beak lets it reach into tight crevices in the reef to pull out sponges and other prey.

### How fast can a hawksbill turtle swim?

Hawksbills can swim at up to about 24 km/h (15 mph) in short bursts. They are agile in the water and can twist through narrow reef spaces that larger turtles cannot enter.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Eretmochelys imbricata.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Eretmochelys%20imbricata&searchType=species)
- [Animal Diversity Web — Eretmochelys imbricata. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Eretmochelys_imbricata/)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/hawksbill-turtle/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.