Hawksbill turtle
Eretmochelys imbricata
Sighting evidence at Kisite Reef, Diani / Shimoni
Photo: Kevin Bryant · CC BY-NC-SA
Hawksbill turtles are year-round residents at Kisite Reef, using their narrow pointed beaks to extract sponges and soft corals from crevices across the plateau. They are among the most important predators of toxic sponges on Indo-Pacific reefs, preventing sponges from overgrowing the corals that divers come to see. Kisite's protection from fishing nets has allowed a small resident population to persist and nest on nearby Kisite Island beaches.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Hawksbill turtle is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.