Hawksbill turtles are relatively small and are named for their narrow, birdlike beak. They are known for their distinctive pattern of overlapping scales on their carapace, which has historically been used to make ornaments. This unique pattern and the vibrant colors of their carapace make hawksbill turtles highly valuable and consequently vulnerable to hunting.

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These turtles inhabit tropical coastal waters, particularly around coral reefs, and are mostly carnivorous. They feed on a wide range of animals, including jellyfish, sponges, and crustaceans, using their pointed beak to capture and pierce prey hiding in small crevices. Their feeding habits help maintain the health of coral reef ecosystems. Hawksbills are also known to consume toxic sponges, but instead of being harmed, they can store the toxins in their flesh. If humans consume hawksbill turtle meat, they can suffer from acute food poisoning, which can be fatal.

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Hawksbills reach sexual maturity between 20 to 25 years of age. Once mature, female hawksbills dig a nest and lay 130 to 160 eggs per clutch, with the eggs hatching in about 60 days. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimates that millions of hawksbills have been killed in the last century for the tortoiseshell trade. Despite the end of the legal international hawksbill shell trade in 1993, illegal trade and egg poaching continue to threaten their populations.