Hawksbill sea turtle [Eretmochelys imbricata]
Description
The hawksbill sea turtle is a critically endangered sea turtle belonging to the family Cheloniidae. It is the only extant species in the genus Eretmochelys. Known for its distinct hawk-like beak, it has a heart-shaped carapace or shell that is richly colored and highly serrated. The hawksbill sea turtle is a spongivore, primarily feeding on sea sponges in coral reefs. Mature hawksbills generally inhabit healthy reef systems and are found predominantly in tropical oceans, particularly in coral reefs, rocky areas, lagoons, mangroves, oceanic islands, and shallow coastal areas.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Chordates
Chordata
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Reptiles
Reptilia
|
| Order |
Sea Turtles
Testudines
|
| Family |
Green Sea Turtles
Cheloniidae
|
| Genus |
Hawksbill
Eretmochelys
|