The Hawksbill sea turtle is the only marine consumer whose diet predominantly comprises sponges, and thus plays a major role in tropical, coral reef ecosystems.  Hawksbills commonly nest on secluded, low-enery beachers and within beach vegetation.

Prized for its beautiful shell, the hawksbill has long been exploited for use in jewelry making. Though its international trade is now prohibited by CITES, illegal trafficking continues in many areas.  Hawksbills in the Eastern Pacific are probably the most endangered sea turtle population in the world. 

Scientific Name

Eretmochelys imbricata

Status

Critically Endangered

Distribution

Circumglobal; nesting areas in tropics, non-nesting range extends to sub-tropical regions (during immature stages); range during all life stages generally restricted to the tropics.

Body size

(adults) length 75-90 cm; mass up to 150 kg

Diet

Large juveniles and adults predominantly eat sponges and other sessile invertebrates associated with coral reefs and rocky reefs

Reproduction

Every 2-4 yr; ~2-5 clutches of eggs per season; 120-200 eggs per clutch; eggs ~25-30 grams (ping-pong ball size); hatchlings emerge after ~60 days of incubation (are ~30mm in length and weigh ~15 grams)