Hawksbill Turtles are regulars on the Great Barrier Reef, as they prefer shallow water or lagoons.
The Hawksbill is a Critically Endangered Animal!
They are easily distinguishable by their sharply curved beak, which resembles like a hawk’s bill.
They glide through the water with effortless ease. Check out this great video of a Hawksbill Turtle on the Great Barrier Reef:
Their preferred food source are sea sponges, which makes them unique in that they are one of the few animals with the ability to eat siliceous organisms. Plus, many of the sea sponges they venture to feed on are extremely toxic and lethal to other animals.
Scientific Classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Family: Cheloniidae
Genus: Eretmochelys
Species: E. imbricata
These turtles have been hunted in Asia fervently for their meat, as well as their shell for decorative purposes. Today, it is illegal to capture or trade the animal or parts of the Hawksbill turtle.
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I hope you enjoyed this Sea Turtle post on Exotic Animal Lover during Great Barrier Reef Month! Until next time…
Live Exotically,
Kimberly Edwards 
P.S. Please be sure to Vote for Me to win the Dream Job of Caretaker of Hamilton Island in the Great Barrier Reef of Australia:
Technorati Tags: Hawksbill turtle, turtles, sea turtles, endangered animals, Australia animals, Great Barrier Reef, reptiles
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