The Hawksbill turtles are critically endangered species according to IUCN. They can be found particularly in tropical and subtropical regions across the world.
They are named after their distinctive appearance which is their sharp, hooked beak that resembles a bird of prey's bill.
They have a multicolored beautiful shell which is made up of overlapping scutes. These scutes have a marbled appearance.
They can grow up to 30 - 35 inches and weigh up to 150 pounds (68 kg).
They are omnivorous and mainly feed on sponges which is their specialized diet.
They help in controlling the damage to coral reefs by consuming the sponges that can adversely affect the health of corals which is why they are important for the ecological balance of the coral reef system.
Due to the drastic decline of their population, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the hawksbill turtle as critically endangered.