Species · GBIF taxon 2442225
Chelonia mydas
chelonia mydasAlso known as Green Turtle, Pacific Green Turtle, Black Sea Turtle
Green sea turtles are majestic marine reptiles that navigate thousands of miles of open ocean to return to the exact beaches where they hatched. Unlike most other sea turtles, adults are strictly herbivorous, grazing on seagrasses and algae which gives their cartilage and fat a greenish color. They play a vital role in maintaining healthy seagrass beds, which serve as crucial nurseries for numerous fish and invertebrate species.
MarineMigratoryHerbivorous
—observations
—countries
—peak records
EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Seagrass
- Algae
- Jellyfish
Predators
- Tiger sharks
- Killer whales
- Ghost crabs
ThreatsCoastal development, marine debris, accidental bycatch in fishing gear, and illegal poaching
HabitatsTropical and subtropical coastal waters, seagrass beds, coral reefs, and sandy nesting beaches
Life span70 to 80 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCheloniidae
- GenusChelonia
- Specieschelonia mydas
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe from a respectful distance; never touch or approach nesting females or hatchlings.
- What to notice
- Look for a smooth, heart-shaped carapace with four pairs of costal scutes and a single pair of prefrontal scales between the eyes.
- Support conservation
- Never touch, ride, or obstruct a turtle. Report injured individuals to local wildlife authorities immediately.
Responsible observation
- Keep your distance: Maintain at least 15 feet (4.5 meters) from turtles in the water and on land.
- Avoid flash photography: Bright lights disorient nesting females and hatchlings trying to find the sea.
- Keep beaches dark: Turn off beachside lights during nesting season to prevent hatchlings from wandering inland.
Apex Predator (c) Kris-Mikael Krister, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative "Hawksbill Turtle" by Tchami is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/. · cc-by-sa
Close Relative "Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta)" by brian.gratwicke is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Distant Relative (c) Pam Kleinsasser, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Pam Kleinsasser · cc-by
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