National Parks/ Sanctuaries
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Common Names
green turtle, green sea turtle
Regions
IndiaMexicoFlorida, United States
Population
85,000
Habitat
Coastal areas, coral reefs, seagrass beds, and oceanic islands in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide
Weight(in lbs) and Life Span
adult females weigh ... and 50 to 80 years or more
Regions
India, Mexico, Florida, United States, New Jersey, United States, Angola, Australia, Bangladesh, Barbados, Brazil, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Congo, Cyprus, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Hawaii, United States, Honduras, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Kuwait, Louisiana, United States, Malaysia, Martinique, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, New York, United States, New Zealand, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Suriname, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Virgin Islands, U.S., Cote D'Ivoire, Bahrain, Tanzania, Costa Rica, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, American Samoa, Iran, Saint Martin (French part), Bonaire, Cabo Verde, Saint Helena, Micronesia, Curacao, Cuba
The Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) is a marine reptile found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. Named for its greenish fat deposits and cartilage, this species plays a vital role in marine ecosystems as herbivores, grazing on seagrasses and algae. Recognized for its distinctive heart-shaped shell and powerful swimming abilities, the Green Turtle undertakes long migrations between feeding and nesting grounds. Despite being protected under international conservation agreements, Green Turtle populations face numerous threats, including habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and incidental capture in fishing gear.
Activity Instructions
- Draw the Animal: Use the next page to draw a picture of the animal. Use your imagination and make it colorful!
- Write an Essay: Write a short essay about the conservation efforts to save this animal. Here are some questions to guide you:
- Why is this species important in its ecosystem?
- What are the threats it faces, and how can we help?
- What do you find most interesting about this species?
