Classification

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Class Reptilia
Order Testudines
Family Cheloniidae
Genus Chelonia‍
Species C. mydas

habitat & Range

Green sea turtles can be found in bays, lagoons, reefs, seagrass beds, and nearshore.

Did you know?

Green sea turtles are the only sea turtles to be herbivores as adults. They feed mainly on seagrasses and algae.
Sea turtles cannot leave their shells. It is a part of their skeleton, making up the ribs and backbone.
Like all turtles the green sea turtle does not have teeth, instead they have ridges on their beaks to help them scrape algae off of rocks.
Hear a green sea turtle eat sea grass (at the :30 mark) ‍

Form & Function

This is the largest hard-shelled sea turtle with adults averaging 3 to 4 feet long. These turtles must navigate long migrations between their feeding and breeding grounds. Young sea turtles must make their way to the ocean after hatching and do so by orienting to the brightest horizon. This is typically towards the moon and ocean, but beachside development and light pollution can disorient hatchlings.

Conservation & YOu

Endangered (IUCN). They are threatened by bycatch, habitat loss, hunting, harvesting of eggs, and pollution. You can help green sea turtles by supporting habitat protection and companies that fish responsibly.

Green Sea Turtle

Classification

habitat & Range

Did you know?

Form & Function

Conservation & YOu