Green Sea Turtle
Chelonia mydas
- Where
- Tropical & Subtropical Oceans worldwide
- Habitat
- Open ocean, coral reefs, sea grass beds
- Diet
- Jellyfish, seaweed, seagrass as adults; jellyfish, crustaceans, algae as juveniles
- Size
- 2-4 feet (60-120 cm) long, weighing up to 700 pounds
- Lifespan
- 50-80 years in wild, up to 100+ with conservation
- Conservation
- Critically Endangered due to habitat loss, pollution, and egg poaching; protected by international law
Fun Facts
- Named 'green' from greenish fat, not their shell color
- Migrate thousands of miles for nesting on specific beaches
- Can hold breath for 5 minutes while underwater
Learn More
Large, flat head with powerful jaws
Shell covers entire body, with flippers and neck visible
Webbed feet help swimming, not walking on land