Chelonia mydas
The green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) is a species of sea turtle found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. It gets its name from the greenish color of its body fat, which is visible through its translucent carapace (upper shell).
Green sea turtles are generally larger than other sea turtle species, with adults reaching an average size of 1.2-1.5 meters (4-5 feet) in length and weighing up to 160 kilograms (350 pounds).
Green sea turtles are found in a wide range of habitats, including coral reefs, seagrass beds, lagoons, and coastal areas. They are typically found in warm, shallow waters, although they may also be found in deeper waters near the continental shelf.
They are found in most tropical and subtropical waters, including the waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, as well as the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.
As juveniles, they feed on a variety of plants and algae, but as adults, they primarily feed on seagrasses and algae.
They have powerful jaws and a sharp beak, which they use to tear off pieces of seagrass and algae to eat.
Green sea turtles are generally solitary animals, although they may form large feeding aggregations in areas with abundant food. They are generally slow-moving animals, but they are strong swimmers and are able to migrate long distances between feeding and breeding grounds.
They are also known to bask in the sun on beaches and offshore rocks, which helps to regulate their body temperature.
The green sea turtle belongs to the species Chelonia mydas and the family Cheloniidae. Sea turtles are a type of turtle that are well-adapted to life in the ocean, with flippers instead of legs for swimming and a streamlined body shape for efficient movement through the water.
The family Cheloniidae includes all species of sea turtles, which are divided into seven different genera. They are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red list.
