Green Sea TurtlesBy Jeff Fagan

Background of a Green Sea Turtle

• The green sea turtle grows to a maximum size of about 4 feet and a weight of 440 pounds

• It has a heart-shaped shell, small head, and single-clawed flippers.

• Populations in Florida and on the Pacific Coast of Mexico are listed as Endangered; all others are listed as Threatened

Green Sea Turtle

Facts of a Green Sea Turtle

• The green turtle is a large, weighty sea turtle with a wide, smooth carapace, or shell. It inhabits tropical and subtropical coastal waters around the world and has been observed clambering onto land to sunbathe.

• It is named not for the color of its shell, which is normally brown or olive depending on its habitat, but for the greenish color of its skin.

More info on Green Sea Turtles

• Weighing up to 700 pounds (317.5 kilograms) green turtles are among the largest sea turtles in the world.

• Unlike most sea turtles, adult green turtles are herbivorous, feeding on sea grasses and algae.

• Green turtles are listed as an endangered species, and a subpopulation in the Mediterranean is listed as critically endangered. Despite this, they are still killed for their meat and eggs.

Green Sea Turtles

• They are cold-blooded, meaning that they get their body heat from the environment rather than making their own.

• They breathe air• Their skin has scales

Green Sea Turtle

Where Can I find Green Sea Turtles

• Green sea turtles are found in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans. They are sensitive to heat and cold and prefer the warmer parts of the oceans.

• Most of the time, Green Sea Turtles eats plants, but they also eat sea creatures like crayfish and crabs. Other turtles eat meat and the Leatherback Turtle eats jellyfish

• Turtles live for 70 - 150 years.

Work Cited Page

• “Sea Turtle Quick Facts,” North Florida Ecological Service Office. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 10 Nov. 2009. 21 Sep. 2010 http://www.fws.gov/northflorida/seaturtles/turtle-facts-index.htm

• http://webecoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/gex_green-sea-turtle.jpg• “Green Sea Turtle” National Geographic 22 Sep. 2010. http

://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/green-turtle/• “Green Sea Turtle” National Geographic 22 Sep. 2010.

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/green-turtle/• “Green Sea Turtle” 22 Sep. 2010 http://www.earthtrust.org/wlcurric/turtles.html• http://seaturtles.pbworks.com/f/green%20sea%20turtle.JPG• “Animal Facts” Green Sea Turtle, Animals Myths & Legends, 22 Sep. 2010 http

://www.planetozkids.com/oban/animals/facts_turtle.htm