Hawksbill sea turtle

Photo: John Matthew Erickson · © all rights reserved

Hawksbill turtles are regular visitors to the wall, feeding on sponges and the occasional cnidarian attached to the reef face. Their narrow pointed beak — the origin of the common name — allows them to extract prey from crevices that other turtles cannot access. The protected waters of the Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve provide a feeding sanctuary for individuals that nest on nearby cayes.