By Jennifer Bengele

Green Sea Turtle TaxonomyKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass ReptiliaOrder TestudinesFamily CheloniidaeGenus Cheloniaspecies mydas (www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/turtles/green)

Physical DescriptionGreen sea turtles have light colored skin

tinted green from a diet comprised entirely of algae and sea grass. They have a shell which varies in color from black to yellow on top called a carapace which is divided into sections called scutes. The hard tissue that forms on the bottom of the shell covering their bellies is called a plastron.

Green sea turtles are sexually dimorphic since the males have longer, thicker tails than the females (www.hsus.org).

Length: 3 - 4 feet averageWeight: 300-350 pound averageLifespan: between 40 and 100 years or even moreReproduction age: 20-30 yearsGestation: 7-10 weeksNumber of offspring: about 100 eggs

Female green turtles travel to shore and lay their eggs in the sand on warm beaches. These nesting grounds are called rookeries. The temperature of the sand determines the gender of the hatchlings. Warm temperatures produce females and cooler temperatures result in males. Out of the 100 or so eggs laid, only 1 or 2 of the hatchlings will make it to adulthood (http://library.thinkquest.org).

Biome HabitatGreen Sea Turtles are found in the

tropical and temperate regions of ocean throughout the world. Therefore, they play a role in the food web of the marine biome. Females will leave the water to lay their eggs on beaches found in tropical places such as Hawaii and Florida. Males remain in the ocean their entire lives (www.marinebio.com).

Range of Green Turtle Habitat

The Niche of the Green Sea TurtleGreen sea turtles, unlike their relatives, are

exclusively herbivorous as adults, favoring sea grass and algae. This is very important to maintaining sea grass beds. As juveniles, green turtles also consume animal material including sponges, jellyfish, snails, worms, and mollusks. Turtle eggs are often preyed upon by raccoons, ants, & crabs. Hatchlings are eaten by sea birds and crabs, and occasionally, an adult turtle will be consumed by a shark. (www.earlham.edu)

Niche (Con’t.)The debris from hatched eggs enriches the sand with much needed nutrients for dune plants which strengthens the beach ecosystem (www.adoptaseaturtle.org).

Green sea turtles are migratory animals, and, as the fastest of the sea turtles, may travel up to 300 miles in just 10 days (http://www.hsus.org). Scientists believe that females use light to find their way to beaches for nesting. In addition, the earth’s magnetic field has been shown to play a role in aiding the turtles in their migration routes to and from their feeding and breeding grounds.

Symbiotic RelationshipsMutualism

Algae-eating cleaner fish on reefs, such as damselfish and angelfish (www.sailhawaii.com)

Parasitism (http://veterinaryrecord.bvapublications.com)Cardiovascular flukesLeeches on skin surfaceVirus that causes tumors

Why Green Turtles are Endangered?

A viral infection which causes fibropapilloma tumors

Consumption of garbage, especially plastics, dumped in the ocean

Harvesting of turtle eggs which are considered a delicacy

Accidental entrapment in fishing gear, such as netsHabitat destructionHunting for turtle meat under plastronIncreased human activity at beaches

Value to HumansHuman consumption of eggs, skin,

meat, and calipee which is the cartilage cut from the plastron (www.turtles.org)

Shells for decorations such as jewelrySome retailers in the Carribean even

sell whole stuffed turtles for profitBreeding grounds (beaches) are

desirable to humans

Conservation MeasuresEducation programsUsing TED’s in commercial fishing netsReintroduction programs Legislation

CITESUS Endangered Species Act

A Few Things We Can DoAvoid beach activities during the nesting

seasonDispose of garbage responsiblyPick up litter from othersReport poachers to authoritiesDo not plant trees, especially non-native

species, in beach areas Don’t buy turtle products

Optimum Aquarium ConditionsA large tank (about 200,000 gallons of salt

water)A reef – either real or manmadeAppropriate diet based on mostly

vegetables such as cabbage, lettuce, brussel sprouts, and squid

Other Interesting FactsNearsighted while on landExcellent sense of smellUse the earth’s magnetic field for navigationUnable to pull head into carapaceEvolved from land turtles

Literature Citedhttp://library.thinkquest.orghttp://veterinaryrecord.bvapublications.comwww.adoptaseaturtle.orgwww.earlham.eduwww.hsus.orgwww.marinebio.comwww.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/turtles/greenwww.sailhawaii.comwww.turtles.com