Hawksbill Turtle in Cozumel
Hawksbill Turtle (*Eretmochelys imbricata*) in Cozumel: how to identify it, where it is reliably seen, and what it is commonly confused with.
A narrow pointed beak like a bird of prey, and shell plates that overlap like roof tiles with a serrated rear edge. Two pairs of scales between the eyes.
Quick ID
| Scientific name | Eretmochelys imbricata |
|---|---|
| Group | Turtles |
| Typical size | 70–90 cm shell length |
| Depth range | 2–30 m |
| When to see it | Year-round, nesting May–October |
| Active | Daytime |
| Conservation status | Critically Endangered |
| Notes | Protected species |
Where You Will See It In Cozumel
The most commonly seen turtle on Cozumel reefs — Palancar, Paso del Cedral and Yucab, usually wedged into the coral feeding on sponges.
Reliable sites: Palancar Gardens, Paso del Cedral, Yucab.
Behaviour
A sponge specialist — the narrow beak is a tool for digging sponge out of crevices, and it is one of very few animals that can eat toxic sponge species. That diet is why hawksbills matter structurally to a reef: they keep sponges from overgrowing coral.
Commonly Confused With
- Green turtle — Green turtles have a blunt rounded beak, non-overlapping shell plates and a single pair of scales between the eyes.
- Loggerhead turtle — Loggerheads have a very large blocky head and a reddish-brown shell.
Diving Etiquette And Safety
Critically Endangered and fully protected in Mexico. Never touch, ride, block or crowd. A turtle needs to reach the surface — never position yourself above one.
Part of the Cozumel marine life guide · see Cozumel dive sites · plan your Cozumel dive trip
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
