Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)

The Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) is among the largest marine turtles and is also the most widespread. It grows to lengths of about 3 to 4 feet and weights of up to 200 kg. Its front limbs are flipper-like and are used to propel itself through the water. Their flesh is a light color with a hint of green and they have small heads relative to the size of their body. Unlike many other species of turtles, green turtles are unable to retract their head into their shell.

Male green turtles spend virtually their entire lives at sea. They are born on land and are only rarely sighted on beaches. Green turtles migrate hundreds of miles to breeding grounds to mate. Female green turtles travel to the same beaches to nest as their predecessors (Source: Crite).

Classification:

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Reptilia
• Order: Testudines
• Family: Cheloniidae
• Genus Chelonia
• Species: Chelonia mydas (Source: Crite)

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Habitat: Pelagic.

Range: Distributed throughout tropical, subtropical, and temperate seas around the world. Native to the Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and Pacific Ocean.

Diet: Primarily herbivorous. Adults eat algae and other plants. Young green turtles occassionally feed on sponges, snails, or crabs.

Status: Red List Category & Criteria (ver 2.3, 1994): EN A2bd. Endangered with a recent population reduction of greater than 80% (Source: Seminoff).

Links: For more information about green sea turtles, see:

• About green sea turtles
• ARKive green sea turtle