Hawksbill turtle.

Named for its narrow, raptor-like beak, the hawksbill is the reef's sponge specialist, threading into crevices bulkier turtles can't reach. Its amber-and-brown "tortoiseshell" shell is also its curse — centuries of trade drove it to the brink. It is one of few reptiles that eats toxic sponges, storing the toxins so its own flesh becomes poisonous.

Size

~90 cm carapace, up to ~80 kg

Weight

Typically ~45–70 kg; large individuals over 80 kg.

Diet

Mainly sponges, plus anemones, jellyfish, molluscs and algae.

Lifespan

Matures at 20–40 years; estimated 50–100+ years.

Depth

Typically foraging 8–20 m; dives to ~90 m.

Reproduction

Nests every 2–3 years, 3–6 clutches of ~130–140 eggs; ~60-day, temperature-dependent incubation.

Snorkel or dive

Snorkel + dive

Best season

Year-round; nesting peaks Jun–Sep

Conservation

Critically Endangered

Visual field notes

See hawksbill turtle from more than one angle.

3 human-reviewed photographs chosen for identity, habitat and behaviour.

Field portraitHawksbill turtle — identification portrait

IdentificationHawksbill turtle — identifying features

HabitatHawksbill turtle — habitat and context

01 · Field portrait · Maldives photograph

PhotoMDC SeaMarc Maldives·CC BY-SA 4.0·web-adapted

02 · Identification · Species reference

PhotoDiego Delso·CC BY-SA 4.0·web-adapted

03 · Habitat · Maldives photograph

PhotoJan Ebr & Ivana Ebrová·CC BY 4.0·web-adapted