Green Sea Turtle
Chelonia mydas
Class:
Reptilia
Order:
Testudines
Family:
Cheloniidae
IUCN Red List status:
Endangered
Description
Protected by the following WLT projects:
The Green Turtle is distinct from other marine turtle species by having a single pair of scales in front of the eyes and a serrated bottom jaw. They possess an oval shell (carapace), which varies in colour from olive to black with swirls and irregular patterns. The undershell (plastron) is pale yellow or orange in colour.
Threats and Conservation
Green turtles suffer from over-harvesting in many areas around the world for both their meat and eggs. In addition, as with most marine turtle species, green turtles are accidentally caught as bycatch. Another threat to these turtles is the increase in fibrous tumours that can grow on any part of the turtle's body, inhibiting movement and sight and often leading to death.
Learn more
- Find more information on the Green Turtle on ARKive: Images of life on Earth
- See IUCN Red List of Threatened Species for more information on the classification of the Green Turtle
