Green Sea Turtle
Chelonia mydas
On
July 28, 1978, the green sea turtle, the second largest, was designated
as endangered for the breeding colony populations in Florida and
on the Pacific coast of Mexico. On July 28, 1978, the green sea turtle
was designated as threatened in areas found except where listed as
endangered.They get their name from the color of their fat, not their
shells, which are grayish in older animals. Green turtles are herbivorous
and remain near pastures of turtle grasses. Tortuguero, Costa Rica,
and south/central Florida are important nesting areas for the green
turtle in the western Atlantic. Juveniles are found in South Carolina
(ranging in size from 28 to 38 cm (11 to 15 in) in curved carapace
length) in shallow creeks, bays, and salt marshes feeding on epiphytic
green algae such as sea lettuce. Recent increases in green turtle
strandings could be due to an increase in the Florida population.
For a more comprehensive review, please read the Green Sea Turtle Conservation Sheet.