Green Sea Turtle
THE GREEN SEA TURTLE
Sea turtles are large, air-breathing reptiles that inhabit tropical and subtropical seas throughout the world. Seven distinct species of sea turtles grace our oceans today. Upon first sight of the Green Sea Turtle it may appear to come off as any other turtle. The truth is that these turtles are magnificent beautiful creatures that spend most of their lives exploring endlessly through our massive ocean. These reptiles have the ability to do incredible things. The Green Sea Turtle is one of seven species and happens to be the largest member of the Cheioniidae family. According to www.turtles.org/hawgrnd.htm , scientists assume that post-hatchlings, pelagic-stage Green Sea Turtles are omnivorous, but there are no data on diet from this age class. Young Green Sea Turtles have a diet of jellyfish and other invertebrates. Adults tend to eat sea grass and algae. Green Sea Turtles who live in aquariums are fed romaine lettuce, gel food made from algae, and a balanced mixture of essential vitamins and minerals. Unlike regular turtles, a green sea turtle’s shell has evolved so that they can propel through waters at a great speed when needed. Their front flippers help them to do so, as well. A green sea turtle’s carapace has a mottled brown top with a creamy white color under its shell; which is often covered in algal growth. Their flesh is light green, due to their vegetarian diet-which also happens to be where they get their name from. Their head is relatively small when compared to the rest of their body. The main difference between a male and a female Green Sea Turtle is that males have longer and thicker tales. A hatchling will normally weigh 1 ounce and its shell will measure 2 inches long. Sub adults will weigh approximately 200-350 pounds and their shell will measure approximately 2 ½ long or over. A fully grown green sea turtle can weigh up to 400 pounds and its shell can
Sea turtles are large, air-breathing reptiles that inhabit tropical and subtropical seas throughout the world. Seven distinct species of sea turtles grace our oceans today. Upon first sight of the Green Sea Turtle it may appear to come off as any other turtle. The truth is that these turtles are magnificent beautiful creatures that spend most of their lives exploring endlessly through our massive ocean. These reptiles have the ability to do incredible things. The Green Sea Turtle is one of seven species and happens to be the largest member of the Cheioniidae family. According to www.turtles.org/hawgrnd.htm , scientists assume that post-hatchlings, pelagic-stage Green Sea Turtles are omnivorous, but there are no data on diet from this age class. Young Green Sea Turtles have a diet of jellyfish and other invertebrates. Adults tend to eat sea grass and algae. Green Sea Turtles who live in aquariums are fed romaine lettuce, gel food made from algae, and a balanced mixture of essential vitamins and minerals. Unlike regular turtles, a green sea turtle’s shell has evolved so that they can propel through waters at a great speed when needed. Their front flippers help them to do so, as well. A green sea turtle’s carapace has a mottled brown top with a creamy white color under its shell; which is often covered in algal growth. Their flesh is light green, due to their vegetarian diet-which also happens to be where they get their name from. Their head is relatively small when compared to the rest of their body. The main difference between a male and a female Green Sea Turtle is that males have longer and thicker tales. A hatchling will normally weigh 1 ounce and its shell will measure 2 inches long. Sub adults will weigh approximately 200-350 pounds and their shell will measure approximately 2 ½ long or over. A fully grown green sea turtle can weigh up to 400 pounds and its shell can