Green Turtle

Physical Characteristics

• The shell of a turtle, the carapace, is around 90-150 cm long and can be up to around 1 meter wide

• Fully mature turtles weigh around 100-200 kg, but can weigh up to 300 kg

• Body fat has a greenish hue

• The underside has a yellowish white or cream color

• The exposed body parts' skin is grayish

• The shell is heart shaped and has olive or dark colorings

• Males have one claw for each flipper and a long tail while a female has a shorter tail

Habitat

• They are found within open water on the coast of a wide array of countries

• They include Papa New Guinea, the Galapagos, the Hawaiian islands, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile, Argentina, South Africa, and New Zeland

• Occasionally it will go as north as Canada, Europe, Alaska, and Japan

• In Costa Rica they are found within the Tortuguero National Park from June through November

• They are found along the borders of tropical and subtropical waters

• Sometimes they go to cooler northern waters

Behavior

• They nest on tropical beaches

• Females every 2 to 4 years will join large groups of adults who came to breed

• After the female mates, she comes to shore every few days to lay more eggs

  • Tend to come to shore 2 or 3 times

• A turtle is female or male depending on the temperature of the egg

• Mature turtles are herbivores while young turtles are predatory

  • Mature turtles eat mainly shallow water sea grass

Other Facts

• Nesting sites tour are popular, but can be harmful if not done right

• Even though they are widespread, they are still in danger

• Their latin name is Chelonia mydas