The hawksbill turtle gets its name from the beak-like shape of its mouth. Unlike other sea turtles, it has two claws on each flipper. The hawksbill is one of the smaller turtles of the sea. Nesting females are about 87cm (34 in) in carapace length and weigh around 80kg (175 lbs). Hatchlings are about 42mm (1.5 in) across and weigh less than 20 grams (0.5 lbs).

Hawkbills have different habitats during different stages in their lives. After they hatch, the turtles live in weeded areas along the coast line, especially in the Gulf of Mexico. After growing to a carapace length of 20 - 25 cm, the Hawksbill reenters the ocean where they use caves and ledges of coral reef systems during the day and night for protection and sleeping grounds. At night they feed on sponges, their primary source of food. By eating these sponges, the turtles free up space on the reef for other bethic organisims. Post-hatchlings often mistake tar balls, plastics, and styrofaom for food, which if eaten, can kill them.

Their mating season lasts six months, which is longer that any other sea turtle. The females lay eggs from July to October; hiding their nests under shrubs and other vegetation. The Hawksbill female and the green sea turtle often share nesting beaches. Like the logggerhead turtle the Hawksbill nests moslty at night.

Threats to the Hawksbill are the same as the other sea turtles; the destruction of their nesting sites, shrimping nets and other garbage that they can get tangled in. There is one more disadvantage the Hawksbill faces. Humans hunt this sea turtle for its unusual shell. The Hawksbill is listied as endangered by the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and by the Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Its population is declining severely in the western Atlantic Ocean and Carribean areas.