Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)

The hawksbill turtle has several features that can easily distinguish it from the other turtle commonly seen in the waters around Saint Martin, the green turtle. The hawksbill, true to its name, has a pronounced beak. The back of its shell also has a serrated edge. Behaviorally, the hawksbill is generally much less skittish around divers, particularly when feeding. Hawksbills are typically seen on shallow reefs, where they eat a variety of foods, including mollusks and sponges. (In order to show more of the characteristic features of this turtle, some photos from Roatan, Honduras have been included in the gallery below.)

Photos