In General

The Green Sea Turtle can grow to over 1 metre in length and weigh up to 150kg. The largest ever caught weighed 395kg. They are so named because of the dark green layer of fat under their skin. The Green Sea Turtle differs from other Sea Turtles by having a single pair of eye scales compared to a double pair.

Diet

Seagrass and seaweed, although juveniles will also eat marine invertebrates.

Habitat

Shallow coastal waters where seagrass beds are plentiful.

Breeding

A female Green Sea Turtle will return to her birth place to lay her eggs, this is the only time she will leave the water, the male never does. Sexual maturity can take between 25 to 40 years and breeding will occur every few years. The female will lay over 100 eggs, which take 60 days to incubate. Temperature determines hatchling sex, females at 29°C (84.2°F) and males at 26°C (78.8° F). Only 2% of hatchlings make it to the ocean.

Conservation status

Vulnerable