Hawksbill Sea Turtle
Eretmochelys imbricata
The glass-like silica spicules and toxic compounds in the sponges they consume do not harm them, but their flesh can become toxic to humans who eat them.
- Scientific name
- Eretmochelys imbricata
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Reptilia › Testudines › Cheloniidae › Eretmochelys
- IUCN Red List status
- Critically Endangered
- Population trend
- decreasing
- Biome
- coral reef
- Habitat
- Tropical coral reefs, coastal lagoons, shallow mangrove inlets, and rocky shelves, with juveniles drifting in pelagic waters.
- Diet
- Specialized spongivore, eating mostly siliceous demosponges, along with soft corals, sea anemones, and occasional jellyfish.
- Range
- Tropical Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Indian Ocean, Tropical Pacific Ocean, Coral Sea
- Size
- 60–90 cm carapace length, 40–80 kg
- Lifespan
- 30–50 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Poaching for tortoiseshell trade, incidental capture in commercial fishing gear, egg poaching, and degradation of coral reef and beach habitats.
- Safe to approach?
- Hawksbill sea turtles are harmless and non-aggressive to humans, but they can deliver a powerful, painful bite if grabbed or provoked. Keep a distance of at least 3 to 5 meters when swimming or diving near them. Do not touch, chase, or attempt to feed them, and stay well clear of nesting females or hatchlings on beaches. If bitten, clean the wound with soap and fresh water, apply antiseptic, and seek medical attention to monitor for infection.
The hawksbill sea turtle ( Eretmochelys imbricata ) is a critically endangered sea turtle belonging to the family Cheloniidae. It is the only extant species in the genus Eretmochelys . The species has a worldwide distribution, with Atlantic and Indo-Pacific subspecies— E. i. imbricata and E. i. bissa , respectively.
Photo: NOAA, PD, via iNaturalist
Plain-text version: /species/4276de9e-956a-4226-bed0-77befad9fd6f.md