Photography by Valji Varia
www.natural-variation.com
Hawksbill turtle encounter off the coast of Kuredu Island, Maldives. The hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is a critically endangered sea turtle belonging to the family Cheloniidae.
The hawksbill's has a flattened body shape, a protective carapace, and flipper-like limbs, adapted for swimming in the open ocean and is easily distinguished from other sea turtles by its sharp, curving beak.
Hawksbill spend more time in shallow lagoons and coral reefs and are classified as critically endangered.