Green sea turtle

Chelonia mydas

Species Information
Exhibit Name and Location Wings in the Water – Main Aquarium, Level 1
Description of Animal These turtles are well-suited to a life at sea. The shells of sea turtles are lighter and more hydrodynamic than the shells of turtles that live on land, allowing them to glide easily through water. Because their feet have evolved into flippers, sea turtles are able to swim long distances. Adult male sea turtles live their entire lives at sea. But females return to land—to the same beach where they were born—once every two years or so to lay their eggs. Unlike other turtles, sea turtles are unable to pull their heads (or appendages) into their shells. Green sea turtles have a serrated beak for tearing vegetation. The vegetarian diet gives their fat a greenish color, which is how the green sea turtle got its name.
Aquarist's Note When visiting the Aquarium, you'll notice that our Green sea turtle is missing a front flipper. Our turtle was rescued by the Riverhead Marine Foundation off Long Island, New York. It was cold-stunned and its left front flipper was severely infected. The Aquarium's Marine Animal Rescue Program (MARP) was called upon to provide treatment. MARP determined that the flipper must be amputated to save the turtle's life. Because it might not survive in the wild, MARP obtained a special permit from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service so that the Aquarium could provide the animal with a permanent home. The turtle adapted to life in the exhibit and visitors will see that it is very active, in spite of the missing flipper.
Diet Juvenile Green sea turtles are carnivorous, feeding on jellyfish and other invertebrates. As adults, however, greens are the only herbivorous (vegetarian) sea turtle, feeding on sea grasses and algae. At the Aquarium, our green sea turtle is fed romaine lettuce, gel food made from algae, and a balanced mixture of essential vitamins and minerals.
Size With a shell length of 3½ feet (1 m) and weighing up to nearly 400 pounds (180 kg), Green sea turtles are second in size only to the behemoth Leatherback sea turtle.
Range Green sea turtles are found in all tropical and subtropical seas along the coasts of continents and islands.
Population Status Conservation Alert! Worldwide, Green sea turtle population declines are largely due to the harvest of both the turtles and their eggs. In the United States, this species is listed as threatened or endangered, depending on the population. Despite federal and state protection, large numbers are killed in fisheries targeting other species; these turtles also die following entanglement in discarded fishing gear or ingestion of marine debris, especially plastics. In many parts of their range, nesting is hindered or disrupted by coastal development and other human activities. After hatching at night, baby sea turtles find their way to the ocean by following the brightest horizon. Confused, many head towards the artificial lights of houses, hotels, or other structures and die before they reach the water. In recent years, many populations, including those in Florida and Hawaii, have been seriously affected by fibropapilloma. Turtles with this disease develop fleshy tumors on the skin and internal organs that can eventually impair vision, feeding, breathing, and other vital functions. Everyone can help sea turtle conservation efforts: Don’t buy sea turtle products. Join organizations that protect the marine environment. Join the fight against marine debris—sea turtles are among the animals most likely to mistake plastic and other trash for food.
Predators Raccoons, foxes, dogs, seabirds, and ghost crabs prey upon turtle eggs. Young sea turtles are eaten by seabirds, crabs, and carnivorous fish. Adults may be eaten by tiger sharks. Humans, however, are the greatest threat to sea turtles. People harvest adults and eggs, disturb nesting beaches, pollute, and fish in ways that are harmful to turtles.