Green Sea Turtle
Chelonia mydas
Quick answer
The green sea turtle is a large marine reptile found in warm oceans worldwide, named for the greenish color of its body fat rather than its shell. Adults are unusual among sea turtles in being mostly herbivorous, grazing on seagrass and algae. They migrate long distances between feeding grounds and the beaches where they hatched, and can live 70 to 80 years or more.
Green Sea Turtle facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Chelonia mydas |
|---|---|
| Diet | Herbivore as adults (seagrass, algae) |
| Habitat | Tropical and subtropical coastal seas |
| Lifespan | 70–80+ years |
| Weight | Up to 160 kg (350 lb) |
| Top speed | ~35 km/h (22 mph) in short bursts |
| Conservation status | Endangered (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Testudines |
| Family | Cheloniidae |
| Genus | Chelonia |
Where it lives
Tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide, nesting on beaches in more than 80 countries.
Behavior and migration
Green sea turtles undertake some of the longest migrations of any reptile, traveling hundreds or thousands of kilometers between feeding areas and nesting beaches. Remarkably, females return to the very beach where they hatched to lay their own eggs, navigating using the Earth's magnetic field.
Diet
Hatchlings and juveniles eat a mix of animals and plants, but adults switch to a largely herbivorous diet of seagrass and algae. This grazing keeps seagrass meadows healthy, making green turtles important to coastal ecosystems.
Habitat and range
Green sea turtles live in tropical and subtropical waters around the world, favoring shallow coastal areas with seagrass beds and coral reefs. They come ashore only to nest, with females digging nests on sandy beaches at night.
Conservation
Green sea turtles are listed as Endangered. They face threats from hunting, egg collection, accidental capture in fishing gear, plastic pollution, and the loss of nesting beaches to coastal development and rising seas. Protected nesting sites and fishing regulations are helping some populations recover.
Frequently asked questions about the Green Sea Turtle
Why is it called a green sea turtle?
The green sea turtle is named for the greenish color of the fat under its shell, not the color of the shell itself, which is usually brown or olive.
What do green sea turtles eat?
Adult green sea turtles are mostly herbivores, grazing on seagrass and algae. Younger turtles also eat small animals such as jellyfish and crustaceans.
How long do green sea turtles live?
Green sea turtles are long-lived, commonly reaching 70 to 80 years and sometimes more. They take decades to reach breeding age.
Do sea turtles return to where they were born?
Yes. Female green sea turtles return to the same beach where they hatched to lay their eggs, navigating across open ocean using the Earth's magnetic field.
Are green sea turtles endangered?
Yes. Green sea turtles are listed as Endangered, threatened by hunting, fishing bycatch, pollution, and the loss of nesting beaches.
How fast can a sea turtle swim?
Green sea turtles usually cruise slowly but can burst to around 35 km/h (22 mph) when escaping danger.
