Hawksbill Turtles

Hawksbill Turtles

Of the five marine turtle species living in the Maldives, the Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys Imbricata) and the Green Turtles are the most common to be spotted by scuba divers and snorkelers.

In appearance, the Hawksbill is similar to other sea turtles, but as the name suggests, they have a curved beak, similar to a hawk’s bill and they have a unique ability to eat marine plants and sponges that contain silicon.

For hundreds of years, the Hawksbill has been hunted for its meat and its shell – the source for tortoiseshell. Fortunately, the Hawksbill is now protected in many countries, since it has been placed on the endangered species list. However, the hunting continues illegally in many places.

The Hawksbill spends most of its time around the coral reefs of tropical waters, making it a favorite among scuba divers, where it feeds on sponges, algae and jellyfish. The hawksbill can actually feed on the Portuguese Man O War jellyfish, one of the most deadly creatures in the world, and the turtle does not get stung.