Basic information about the hawksbill sea turtle
- Scientific name: Eretmochelys imbricata
- Common name (English): Hawksbill turtle, hawksbill sea turtle
- Common name (Malay): Penyu karah, penyu sisik
The hawksbill turtle can be easily distinguished from other sea turtles for its resemblance to a bird of prey due to its curved and pointed beak.
Additionally, the hawksbill turtle has two pairs of prefrontal (in front of its eyes) scales, and overlapping scutes (scales) on its carapace. This results in a serrated effect, giving it a more rugged and wrinkly look compared to the smoother shell of the green sea turtle.
Among other sea turtles, the hawksbill turtle has the most unique carapace because it is multi-coloured and appears slightly colour-shifting.
Conservation status of the hawksbill sea turtle
IUCN Red List Status: Critically endangered
Hawksbill sea turtles are critically endangered as a result of several threats in recent times. For example, it is poached for its unusual shell, which is the material called "tortoise shell", and often used for ornaments and accessories.
However, in Malaysia's context, egg poaching is a bigger threat. Only Sabah, Sarawak, and Terengganu totally bans the sale of turtle eggs. Although even there, changing the culture afterwards is not easy.
In addition, hawksbill turtles are increasingly also threatened indirectly, due to being caught in fishing gear and harmed by marine plastic pollution. Furthermore, their grazing and nesting areas also face threat of habitat loss because of coastal development and light pollution.
Hawksbill turtle habitat
Hawksbill sea turtles are found across different habitats. They are pelagic animals, which means they swim in the open sea. In fact, they can swim very large distances across the ocean.
However, since hawksbill turtles mainly eat sponges, they typically hang around close to the relatively shallow coastal areas of their foraging grounds. Once it has found a convenient feeding area, the hawksbill turtle becomes a regular. It will be a loyal resident of the site unless disturbed.
If you’re scuba diving with a local divemaster, they most likely know where the resident hawksbill turtle forages.
Additionally, even though sea turtles are marine animals, they lay their eggs on land. Hawksbill sea turtles are no exception. So they also need sandy beaches for nesting. Hawksbill sea turtles generally lay between 70-160 eggs in every nest. Female turtles may nest more than once in a year.
Hawksbill turtle diet
Hawksbill sea turtles are omnivorous. These turtles are sponge specialists, ripping them off the reef with that sharp, beak-like mouth. But they’re not picky eaters – they’ll also snack on marine algae, soft corals, molluscs, tunicates, crustaceans, sea urchins, jellyfish, and even the occasional small fish once in a while.
How big are hawksbill sea turtles?
Hawksbill turtles are the smallest of the seven species of sea turtles.
A turtle hatchling is tiny – about the size of a lady’s palm – measuring only around 5 cm long and weighing just 25–30 grams. Mature individuals usually weigh between 40–90 kg, with a carapace length of 70–90 cm.
Though smaller, they’ve still got those signature flipper-like limbs that reduce drag underwater – perfectly built for life in the open ocean. The front flippers are used for swimming, while the rear flippers act as rudders, helping the turtle navigate the ocean efficiently.
Where can you find hawksbill sea turtles in Malaysia?
Hawksbill sea turtles can be found throughout the world, generally in the warm water of tropical and subtropical regions. Think destinations such as the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, Northern Australia, East Africa, and the Pacific Islands.
In Malaysia, hawksbill sea turtles are present in both Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo. Sightings are more common in places like Sipadan, Mabul, Pom Pom, and Mataking in Sabah, as well as around Redang, Tioman, and the Perhentian Islands in Peninsular Malaysia.
Many of these locations are also Marine Parks or National Parks, for instance Pulau Redang, Pulau Perhentian, Pulau Tioman, Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, Turtle Islands (Pulau Selingan), Sipadan, Tun Sakaran Marine Park and Talang-Satang National Park in Sarawak.
Explore the turtle layer in our megafauna map to learn more about hawksbill turtle sightings in different Malaysian Marine Parks.
Click on the icons on the map for more information. Open more map layers by clicking the drawer icon next to the map title.
Contact us here if you want to suggest corrections or additions to the map. Thank you for contributing!
Interesting facts about hawksbill sea turtles
How should you look for hawksbill sea turtles?
If there’s a healthy reef in warm waters, chances are a hawksbill isn’t too far away. These turtles are usually hanging out along coastlines, coral reefs, lagoons, and rocky areas.
Hawksbill turtles are not exactly creatures of routine, but your best bet is during the day. Similar to other sea turtles, when it comes to nesting, they do it at night on remote, quiet beaches with soft sand, away from bright lights and loud noises.
Finally, another way to see hawksbill sea turtles - especially its hatchlings - is by volunteering for turtle conservation! Choose a project from our partners below.
What should you do if you see a hawksbill sea turtle?
Sea turtles are not really very social. If you come across hawksbill sea turtles while snorkelling or diving, please keep it cool. Don't disturb their natural behaviour. Give them some personal space, and certainly do not touch them!
Likewise, when approaching a turtle you see in the distance, swim over from the side so that it can see you coming and decide if it's ok with that. This way, it also has a clear path ahead if it wants to swim away instead. If they're far below, don't hover right over them so that you don't block their way to surface and breathe.
For your own safety, don't come too close, and don't try to feed them. Not only do turtles not need help to feed, they might accidentally bite you!
P.S. If you happen to have a camera with you, and the turtle allows you to come close enough, see if you can take turtle ID photos. Perhentian Turtle Project is compiling a database!
Send us your Perhentian turtle pics!
Sea turtles have unique facial scale shape and colour patterns. By compiling photos of sea turtles, as well as comparing and contrasting facial scale patterns, we can determine the population of individuals which frequent the Perhentian Islands.
You can help us through our #PenyuWarrior Citizen Science Initiative by sharing your turtle photos. Learn more about how to take turtle ID photos and send them to us on Facebook or Instagram. If you found one we don't know, you can name the turtle!
