Hatchlings are often found floating in masses of sea plants. Nesting may occur on almost any undisturbed island. Nests are commonly located amongst woody vegetation. Nesting is seasonal, the season is often extended and at a few locations it may occur year round with one or two peaks. They produce these eggs at intervals of 14-18 days.
Hawksbills feed on both plants and animals.
They also eat sponges and sea urchins. Factors that lead to the major threats of this species are the destruction or modification of important nesting and foraging habitats, illegal harvest for local consumption, and ongoing international commerce in Hawksbill shell. In spite of domestic protection for sea turtles and a ban on their importation into the U.S., sea turtle products, many from Hawksbills, are not only the most confiscated products by U.S. Customs at our borders, but the confiscations are on the rise. Until just recently, tens of thousands of Hawksbills were sacrificed each year to meet the demand for jewelry, ornamentation, and whole stuffed turtles. Some things one can do to help not only the Hawksbill Turtle but all sea life are respect the beaches and the oceans.