Hawksbill Sea Turtles are about 24–45 inches long, weigh up to 150 pounds, and live to be about 50 years old.1 They get their name from the fact that their mouths have a similar shape to that of a hawk’s beak.2
You can find these turtles in tropical and subtropical oceans. These turtles will nest on beaches and you can find them in:2
- Australia
- Mexico
- Cuba
- Puerto Rico
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- Hawaii
When they lay their eggs, they’ll lay around 150 at a time – and they’ll do this a couple of times throughout the season.2
These turtles love to eat sponges, but will also eat crustaceans, fish, jellyfish, and mollusks.1&2 In turn, they’re preyed upon by sharks, humans, and octopi.1 A lot of the threats from humans come from hunting in order to trade their shell.1&2
It’s important to conserve this species because they are critically endangered, and they play an important role in their habitats.1 They migrate a lot – sometimes over a thousand miles! – and help ensure that coral reefs stay healthy.1&2
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