Hawksbill Turtle

The Hawksbill Turtle is listed on the IUCN Red List 2008 as Critically Endangered due to the decline in population over a number of years, a direct result of both human and environmental impacts. Australia is home to the largest breeding grounds in the world, many of which are protected in our Marine Parks, so we play a very important role in the conservation of this species. They can be Identified by their hawk-like beak and have black tortoise shell markings on the body. The upper shell is commonly a reddish black or olive green. As young adults they are often found drifting on open ocean currents but as they get older they are found to settle in tropical and sub-tidal coral and around rocky reef habitats.

Size: 100cm (Maximum)

Diet: Sponges, soft corals, sea grasses, molluscs