Marine Glossary Turtles

Green Turtle

The Green Turtle is one of the largest turtle species in the ocean. Named 'Green' turtle for its green color of fat underneath its shell, and not for the shell color itself. Find out more below.

Green Turtle
A sleepy green turtle chilling on the reef at the Whitsunday Islands
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Description

The Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) is one of the largest turtle species in the ocean. Named ‘Green’ Turtle for the green color of fat underneath its shell and not for the shell color itself. They are the largest hard-shelled member of Sea Turtles, growing up to approximately 90cm – 120cm in size. Their diet consists of sea grass and algae, which they eat off the coral reef with their beak-like mouth.

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Snorkeling Video

Wow! I’ve never seen so many turtles in one place. A ‘bale’ of turtles feeding on algae on the coral reef. This was in November when the waters of the Daymaniyat Islands have more algae, hence the green footage.
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Fact Sheet

  • Green Turtles do not have teeth.
  • These swimmers can reach speeds of up to 35mph (56km/h).
  • Can hold their breath for up to one hour.
  • This turtle species is believed to live up to 60-70 years old
  • Reproduce between every 2-4 years.
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Habitat

Green turtles live in warm water tropical and sub-tropical climates along the equator worldwide. Found around coral reefs eating on sea grass and algae, they can be seen out at sea when traveling vast distances to nesting beaches.

Diet

Diet consists of sea grass and algae, which they eat off the coral reefs with their beak-like mouths. They have a specialised jaw which allows them to feed on hard fibrous plants. Their mouth-line is serrated to allow them to chew vegetation. Green Turtles grow up as omnivores and are the only herbivores in the Sea turtle species.

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Appearance

They are named for the green color of fat located under their shell, not for the shell color itself. It is the largest hard-shelled member of the Sea Turtle species, growing up to approximately 90cm – 120cm in size. They have a streamlined body, two large flippers for swimming, and a hard-shell for protection against predators.

Key Features

  • Most recognizable for its large-scaled green shell.
  • Two distinctive paddles with noticeable scales engraved.
  • They can often have algae and barnacles attached to their shell.
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Threats

IUCN Conservation Status: Endangered

Disease

Green Turtles can be affected by a disease called fibropapilloma, which causes external tumor growths which can affect eating, vision, and swimming. The tumors are typically found around soft skin, the neck, and close to the eyes.

Climate Change

They are affected by the ocean and land changes caused by climate change, including sea rise impacting nesting beaches. Increasing beach sand temperatures can cause only females to be born. Depleting coral reefs also directly affect food source and availability.