Green Sea Turtle
Chelonia mydas · Reptile. Vertebrate. Cold-blooded. Wild.
Animal Family
Family: Cheloniidae; Order: Testudines; Class: Reptilia
Animal Category
Marine Animal / Endangered Species
Breed / Variety
Two distinct subspecies are generally recognized: the Atlantic green turtle (Chelonia mydas mydas) and the East Pacific green turtle (Chelonia mydas agassizii).
Conservation Status
IUCN Status: Endangered. Population trend: Decreasing. Major threats include habitat loss (beach development), bycatch in fishing gear, poaching for meat/eggs, and plastic pollution.
About This Creature
Large sea turtle with a wide, smooth, heart-shaped carapace. Adults can grow up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) long and weigh between 110–190 kg (240–420 lbs). Its common name comes from the greenish color of its subdermal fat, though its shell is olive to blackish-brown.
Physical Characteristics
Streamlined body with a teardrop-shaped carapace. Large, paddle-like flippers for swimming. Unlike other sea turtles, it has a single pair of prefrontal scales between the eyes and a serrated lower jaw. The plastron (bottom shell) is yellowish-white.
Behavior & Temperament
Solitary except during mating and nesting. Known for long-distance migrations between feeding grounds and nesting beaches. They are diurnal and spend much of their time submerged, surfacing every few minutes for air. Defense relies on the hard shell and speed in water.
Habitat & Diet
Origin Region
Found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. Major populations exist in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.
Habitat
Ocean/Marine and Coastal. Primarily found in shallow seagrass beds and coral reefs. They are aquatic (highly mobile via flippers) but semi-aquatic in terms of nesting on sandy beaches.
Diet & Nutrition
Adults are primarily herbivores, eating seagrass and algae. Their serrated jaw is adapted for cropping vegetation. Juveniles are omnivorous, consuming jellyfish, crabs, and sponges until they reach about 20-25cm.
Lifespan & Health
Estimated lifespan of 70-80 years or more. Reach sexual maturity between 20-50 years. Females lay clutches of 100-200 eggs every 2-4 years. Predators include sharks for adults; crabs and birds for hatchlings.
Special Characteristics
Incredible navigational skills using the Earth's magnetic field. Culturally significant in many indigenous coastal cultures. They are one of the few large species to eat seagrass, which helps keep seagrass beds healthy.
Ecological Information
Keystone species. By grazing seagrass, they ensure the beds remain productive and healthy. Their eggs provide vital nutrients for beach ecosystems, and they serve as an important link in the marine food web.