Unsurprisingly, the hawksbill turtle is named for its narrow, pointed beak, which resembles a bird of prey. It comes in very handy as this omnivorous turtle probes the narrow crevices of reefs to feed on algae and soft-bodied animals like sponges and anemones.

Algae and sponges contain toxic chemicals that accumulate in the turtle's flesh, making it poisonous for humans to eat. But this critically endangered turtle is not prized internationally for its meat but its beautiful shell. The carapace (shell) is made up of an elaborate series of streaked and marbled overlapping scales in shades of amber, yellow and brown. Hawksbill shells are the largest source of commercial 'tortoiseshell', which has traditionally been used to make combs and brushes, jewellery and inlay furniture.

The hawksbill is mainly found in the world's tropical oceans, usually in coral reefs, including the Great Barrier Reef. It often nests close to coral reefs, and snorkellers and scuba-divers will occasionally catch a glimpse of this beautiful turtle.