Green turtle

Scientific name

Chelonia mydas

Family

Cheloniidae

Size

The green turtle typically grows to be a little larger than 1 meter (3-4 feet) in shell length, and adults can weigh more than 110 kg (250-400 lbs).

Lifespan

The lifespan of green turtles is unknown, but they likely live for at least 70 years. Maturity is reached at 25 to 35 years of age.

About Green turtles

Like many species of sea turtles, green turtles enter the open ocean after hatching, where they live for several years. Larger juveniles return to nearshore, coastal waters, where they spend several years foraging until they reach maturity. Though adult green turtles undergo extensive reproductive migrations, during non-breeding years they can be found in the same feeding habitats with the juveniles.

Green turtles are the largest of the hard-shelled sea turtles.

Diet

During their oceanic phase, green turtles are omnivorous, but upon returning to shallow habitats they become herbivorous, consuming mostly seagrass and algae.

Distribution

Green turtles have nesting grounds in more than 80 countries around the world and likely migrate through at least 140 countries. They are found mostly in tropical seas and are highly migratory.

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