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Green Sea Turtles: 15 Amazing Facts That Will Make You Love Them

With a history dating back to the days of dinosaurs, turtles are a testament to the endurance of reptiles. While some such as the tortoise lumber on land, others embrace the allure of the boundless seas.

See some fun facts about turtles here!

Among these marine turtles, one stands out, both literally due to its appearance and figuratively. That is the green sea turtle, scientifically known as Chelonia mydas.

These enigmatic reptiles grace the waters of tropical and subtropical regions, from the crystal-clear Caribbean to the azure depths of the Indo-Pacific. This article will highlight fifteen facts about these enchanting creatures that make them so loveable.

Enjoy!

1. They are Named after The Color of Their Skin and Body Fat

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Green sea turtles are not called so because they are clueless or lack experience! No, their name has quite a literal meaning.

The species is referred to as the green sea turtle because of the color of its skin as well as the color of its body fat. As a result of consuming exclusively plant-based food, their body fat changes color to green!

Watching them glide through the water is a fascinating sight. Their green-toned shells and vibrant presence capture the essence of their name, the green sea turtle.

2. They are Primarily Herbivores

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Unlike most sea turtles which have a varied diet, green sea turtles are primarily herbivores. They feed on seagrasses, algae, and other marine plants playing a key role in the aquatic ecosystem.

They have a specialized jaw structure, with sharp and serrated beaks, that help them tear and consume vegetation underwater. It is because of this diet that they get the distinct coloration on their skin.

Green sea turtles eat so much plant-based diet that by the time they are adults their body fat is green in color.

3. They are One of The Largest Sea Turtle Species

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The majestic green sea turtle ranks very highly as one of the largest species of sea turtles in existence. A fully grown sea turtle typically measures around three (3) to four (4) feet in length.

In terms of weight, an adult sea turtle weighs around 300 to 500 pounds (136 to 227 kilograms). This makes them the largest hard-shelled marine turtle in the world.

Other sizeable sea turtles include the leatherback turtle and the loggerhead turtle. The leatherback holds the crown as the largest weighing up to 2,000 pounds.

4. Green Sea Turtles Have a Heart-Shaped Shell

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As if screaming to be loved, the shell of a green sea turtle is heart-shaped setting them apart from other sea turtles. Also called the carapace, the shell has the outline of a heart shape.

This sets them apart from other turtle species even by peaking from afar. In comparison, other sea turtle species, such as loggerhead turtles and hawksbill turtles, have more rounded or elongated shells.

5. A Green Sea Turtle Cannot Pull Its Head Into The Shell

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Unlike most turtle species, the green turtle cannot retract its head into its shell. This is because its shell is outlined in a way that it cannot fully enclose its entire body.

This inability to retract its head when threatened has helped them adapt and evolve developing new defensive mechanisms. They rely on their powerful jaws and beaks to defend themselves against potential threats.

While it may seem like a disadvantage, the shape and flexibility of their shells allow them to swim more efficiently, reducing drag in the water and enabling them to navigate with agility.

6. They Are Fast Swimmers

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Thanks to their streamlined body and their powerful paddle-like flippers, the green sea turtle is able to swim very fast. In very short bursts, they can reach speeds of up to 20 miles per hour (32 kilometers per hour).

However, despite moving relatively fast, the green sea turtle is not the fastest sea turtle. The leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) holds the title of the fastest-swimming sea turtle. It can swim for speeds of up to 20 miles per hour (32 kilometers per hour).

7. They Migrate Back and Forth to Feeding and Nesting Grounds

The green sea turtle is a remarkable migratory creature, undertaking extensive journeys throughout their lives. They travel sometimes very long distances from their feeding grounds to nesting beaches.

In some cases, a green sea turtle will migrate hundreds or even thousands of miles from their feeding areas in coastal regions to their natal beaches for nesting. This need to migrate arises from specific ecological requirements.

They travel to reach suitable nesting sites where they dig their nests and lay eggs, ensuring the survival of future generations. Additionally, they also migrate to areas abundant in seagrass and marine plants.

8. Female Green Sea Turtles Lay Up To 200 Eggs in A Clutch

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After finding a suitable nesting spot, the adult female green sea turtle will then dig a nest (s) in the sand where she will deposit her eggs. In a single nesting season, it can lay multiple clutches in different nests to increase the chances of survival.

It can lay around 100 to 200 eggs in a single clutch. After this, she will then cover the nests with sand and camouflage them to protect them from predators.

9. They Don’t Exhibit Parental Care

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I know this list is supposed to make you love them but here we are! The green sea turtle does not exhibit any parental care beyond nesting.

After laying and hiding the eggs, the female will immediately return to sea leaving the eggs unattended. It’s survival of the fittest or rather the luckiest since there’s not much an egg can do to defend itself.

10. The Eggs Hatch in About 60 Days

The incubation period for green sea turtle eggs typically lasts for about 2 months, or 60 days, depending on factors such as temperature and moisture. So, for about two months, the eggs are vulnerable to external attacks and natural conditions.

Predators like crabs, birds, and mammals pose a threat to the eggs, and human activities such as habitat disturbance and poaching also contribute to the risks they face.

11. Only 1 in 1000 Reaches Adulthood

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Owing to the harsh conditions in the sea and the extremely harsh conditions they are hatched into, very few green sea turtles survive to adulthood. If the eggs are not destroyed by predators or bad weather in the nests, the hatchlings still have a long way to get to the ocean.

They have to make their way to the sea on their own and predators are a much more significant danger. Very few of these hatchlings make it to the sea. According to estimates by researchers, roughly 1 in 1,000 hatchlings survive to reach adulthood. The journey from hatching to adulthood is fraught with challenges, including predation, food availability, and human-related threats.

12. An Endangered Species

Due to threats such as habitat loss, pollution, fishing gear entanglement, poaching, and climate change impacts, green sea turtles are a dwindling population. To this end, several bodies and organizations have listed them as endangered species.

This includes the USA’s Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES). The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) also lists them as a Red List entry in their records.

Various nations also have laws and regulations to protect these special turtles as well as their habitats. This is usually done through efforts such as marine protected areas, habitat restoration, and public awareness campaigns.

See some scary facts about plastics and how pollution is affecting marine life here!

13. They Can Remain Underwater for Up To 5 Hours

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Despite living most of their lives underwater, green sea turtles are air-breathing reptiles with lungs instead of gills. This means that every now and then, they have to come up to the surface for air.

However, they are remarkably adapted to this and can spend a prolonged amount of time underwater before they have to come up. When submerged, they conserve oxygen and slow their heart rate, reducing energy expenditure.

The high oxygen-carrying capacity of their blood, along with specialized adaptations in their muscles and tissues, enables them to extract and utilize oxygen efficiently. Green sea turtles also have the gular valve which is located in the throat and prevents water from reaching the lungs.

14. Can Live for Over 100 Years

The life span of a green sea turtle is currently estimated to range from 60 to 70 years on average. This is a range that has been declining as factors and threats to their lives increase.

However, some individuals have been known to live way longer. Some of them are documented to live beyond the 100-year mark with the oldest being recorded at 190 years of age.

15. They Always Return To The Same Nesting And Feeding Grounds

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Green sea turtles bring a new meaning to the saying ‘East or west, home is the best.’ Through a fascinating behavior known as natal homing and environmental cues, they can return to the same nesting and feeding grounds year after year.

Natal homing is a phenomenon by which adult female green sea turtles instinctively find their way back to the beach where they hatched to lay their eggs. They use various environmental cues and sensory information to navigate, including the Earth’s magnetic field, the angle of the sun, and the unique scent of their natal beach.

In conclusion, green sea turtles are a beautiful species that goes through a difficult life cycle from the moment they are hatched. However, green sea turtles are endangered and should be protected at all costs. 

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