Eretmochelys imbricata / A hawksbill turtle swimming gracefully in the waters on a morning wall dive in the red sea egypt. The turtle was super calm & let me get up real close for a brief moment of eye contact & allowed me to take this beautiful image.

Fun fact about the Hawksbill Turtle:

It's named for its “beak” They feed almost exclusively on sponges. They're solitary nesters. They nest nearly 4 times per season. The largest populations occur in the tropical seas. Their most dangerous times in life are right after their eggs hatch. Their shell starts out heart shaped. Adult hawksbill turtles can hold their breath for up to 3 hours. Research tells that they have existed for more than 100 million years

Not so fun a fact:

Humans are their biggest thread as they are still hunted for their shells & having their eggs harvested. Other threats like Human waste, bycatch, ocean pollution, marine debris, and climate change plays a factor as well. They're the most endangered sea turtle population worldwide & were once almost hunted to extinction.

How can you help?

Reduce marine debris that may entangle or be accidentally eaten by sea turtles.

Use reusable water bottles and shopping bags only. Keep nesting beaches dark and safe for sea turtles. Turn off, shield, or redirect lights visible from the beach. Lights disorient hatchling sea turtles and discourage nesting females from coming onto the beach to lay their eggs. Never abandon fishing gear. Hooks, lines, or nets left in the water can entangle and kill sea turtles. Use barbless circle hooks Recycle fishing line and discard your trash on shore in trash receptacles Change fishing location if sea turtles are in the area and show interest in your bait or catch. Don’t cast your line if a sea turtle is in the area. Don’t discard bait or fish remains into the water—sea turtles may associate the area with food and be at risk of capture or entanglement in hook and line gear Never feed or attempt to feed sea turtles—it is harmful and illegal!

Spread the word.