![]() and prefers shallow aquatic habitat - generally settling in ponds, slow-moving rivers and marshes. Photo by Lawrence Rafter ( No one actually painted this turtle - it gets its name from its red bottom-shell (called the plastron) and yellow striped head and feet. This common turtle is found across much of the continental U.S. Find out what you can do to help sea turtles. Its strikingly colorful shell is a sight to see but be careful not to get too close! The hawksbill is critically endangered, once especially prized for their beautiful scutes used in “tortoise shell” products and its nesting and feeding habitat need to be carefully preserved. The sponges attract the hawksbill to coral reefs, where its special beak allows it to reach into the crevices of the coral to find its sought-after sponges. ![]() The hawksbill has one of the most specialized diets, feeding almost exclusively on sea sponges. Named for its distinct hawk-like beak, the endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtle can be seen gliding through coral reefs, shallow coasts and lagoons in the Caribbean Sea and the western Atlantic Ocean. To celebrate these marvelous homebodies, we’ve collected some fantastic facts and an excellent collection (or should we say, shellection) of turtle photos! Hawksbill Sea Turtle Started in 2000, World Turtle Day gives us the opportunity to bring attention to and protect these remarkable reptiles, along with their habitat around the world. is home to a rich variety of freshwater and sea turtles with 67 species - that’s approximately 19 percent of the world’s turtles. ![]() Whether gliding through the open ocean or slowly trudging across desert plains, these fascinating animals can be found in almost every ecosystem around the world, including Interior-managed lands, which support habitats for many types of turtles. Turtles play a vital role in ecosystems by helping spread seeds on land, providing living space for a host of other creatures as keystone species, keeping prey animals like jellyfish in check and supporting other marine life by sea. From tiny baby bog turtles to massive leatherbacks to desert tortoises, turtles come in many shapes and sizes. ![]()
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