Hawksbill Turtle

Shocking scientists, these endangered sea turtles were found hiding in an unexpected habitat.

Photo By: Bryan Wallace / Marine Flagship Species Program / Conservation International

Scientists are still puzzling over the discovery, in mangrove estuaries, of hawksbill turtles like the one pictured here. Usually these endangered sea turtles are found only on rocky reefs in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, but their discovery in a new habitat could be a positive sign, according to Conservation International. They'd been considered all-but extinct in the eastern tropical Pacific, after decades of hunting for their colorful shells and eggs, as well as loss of habitat and accidental capture as "bycatch" by fishing fleets.

> Related: 11 Recently Extinct Species

COMMENTS ()