Hawksbill
HawksbillHawksbillHawksbillHawksbill

Hawksbill

Eretmochelys imbricata

Silhouette: James R. Spotila and Ray Chatterji · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
Daily sighting probability Insufficient data
at Las Baulas Marine National Park
1 Verified sightings at Las Baulas Marine National Park From 2019 to 2026
630 Verified sightings across all 29 parks From 2019 to 2026
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

About the Hawksbill

The hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is a critically endangered sea turtle belonging to the family Cheloniidae. It is the only extant species in the genus Eretmochelys. The species has a global distribution that is largely limited to tropical and subtropical marine and estuary ecosystems.

The appearance of the hawksbill is similar to that of other sea turtles. In general, it has a flattened body shape, a protective carapace, and flipper-like limbs, adapted for swimming in the open ocean. E. imbricata is easily distinguished from other sea turtles by its sharp, curving beak with prominent tomium, and the saw-like appearance of its shell margins. Hawksbill shells slightly change colors, depending on water temperature. While this turtle lives part of its life in the open ocean, it spends more time in shallow lagoons and coral reefs.

The World Conservation Union classifies E. imbricata as critically endangered, primarily as a result of human fishing practices. Hawksbill shells were the primary source of tortoiseshell material used for decorative purposes. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species regulates the international trade of hawksbill sea turtles and products derived from them. Wikipedia →

Closest Relatives at Las Baulas Marine National Park

Pacific Ridley
VU

Pacific Ridley

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Lepidochelys olivacea

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible
Green Sea Turtle

Green Sea Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Chelonia mydas

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Coiba National Park 🇵🇦 Panama
~90%
2 Komodo National Park 🇮🇩 Indonesia
~80%
3 Raja Ampat 🇮🇩 Indonesia
~50%
4 Bali Barat National Park 🇮🇩 Indonesia
~40%
5 Cape Range 🇦🇺 Australia
~30%
6 Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park 🇲🇽 Mexico
~20%
7 Ningaloo Marine Park 🇦🇺 Australia
~20%
8 Santa Rosa National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
~10%
9 Galápagos Islands 🇪🇨 Ecuador
~10%
10 Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve 🇲🇽 Mexico
~10%
11 iSimangaliso Wetland Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~10%
12 Everglades National Park 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
13 Isla del Coco National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Insufficient data
14 Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park 🇯🇲 Jamaica
Insufficient data
15 Corcovado National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Insufficient data
16 Main Ridge Forest Reserve 🇹🇹 Trinidad and Tobago
Insufficient data
17 Machalilla National Park 🇪🇨 Ecuador
Insufficient data
18 Celestún Biosphere Reserve 🇲🇽 Mexico
Insufficient data
19 Bahía de Loreto National Park 🇲🇽 Mexico
Insufficient data
20 Piedras Blancas National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Insufficient data
21 Bastimentos Island National Marine Park 🇵🇦 Panama
Insufficient data
22 Las Baulas Marine National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Insufficient data
23 Tortuguero National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Insufficient data
24 Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve 🇲🇽 Mexico
Insufficient data
25 Great Otway National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
Insufficient data
26 Cahuita National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Insufficient data
27 Tsavo East National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
Insufficient data
28 Royal National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
Insufficient data
29 La Amistad International Park (Panama) 🇵🇦 Panama
Insufficient data
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