Hawksbill Sea Turtle
Eretmochelys imbricata
Sighting evidence at Weligama Coral Reef, Mirissa
Photo: Kevin Bryant · CC BY-NC-SA
Hawksbills here forage on the sponges and soft corals that drape the mid-reef boulders, and several individuals have become so habituated to divers that they continue feeding within arm's reach. They are critically endangered globally but the Weligama bay population appears stable thanks to relatively low fishing pressure inside the bay. Encounters typically last 10 to 20 minutes as individuals rest between feeding bouts, resting on sandy ledges at 6 to 10 metres.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Hawksbill Sea Turtle is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.