Green+Turtle

Green Turtle Scientific Name: Chelonia Mydas



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= =  Interesting facts 1. Hatchlings weigh about 0.055 lbs (25 g) and are about 2 in (50 mm) long. Adult green turtles are the only marine turtles to exclusively eat plants! 2. The nesting season varies depending on location. In the southeastern U.S., females generally nest between June and September, while peak nesting occurs in June and July. During the nesting season, females nest at approximately two week intervals, laying an average of five clutches. In Florida, green turtle nests contain an average of 135 eggs, which will incubate for approximately 2 months before hatching. 3. They are found in warm, coastal waters emerging on to land to nest or to bask occasionally.  4. Green turtles are primarily herbivorous, feeding mainly on marine grasses and algae, except as juveniles when they eat small marine creatures, such as jellyfish, molluscs and sponges. 5. Green turtles are one of the most widespread species of marine turtle, found in tropical and subtropical waters throughout the globe. 6. Compared to other sea turtles, such as the leatherback and loggerhead, green sea turtles have small heads. 7. Adult green sea turtles have very few enemies. Sharks and humans are their main two predators. 8. Green sea turtles are a threatened species. In Florida and on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, the green turtle breeding colony populations are listed as Endangered.  9. Green sea turtles are hunted to be made into soup, but that's not all. They're also killed for their skin, and for their oil. 10. Sea turtles are aptly named, for they spend most of their lives in the sea. Males rarely ever go on land at all, and females only climb up on the shore to lay their eggs for just a few hours before returning to the sea.

** References: **

“Turtles and Tortoises.”__Animals__.New York: DK, 2001.

“BBC Science and Nature.”__BBC.__ 2009. BBC < [] “Green Turtle office of protected resources NOAA fisheries.” __NOAA__. 2008. NOAA.  <[] “Green Turtle.” __Wild Fact–File.__ 1991.