Common Name: Chelonia mydas

Scientific Name: Chelonia mydas

Habitat:

Chelonia mydas, commonly known as the green sea turtle, is primarily found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. Their habitats include coral reefs, seagrass beds, and coastal lagoons, which are essential for feeding and nesting. Geographic locations include the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, the Indian Ocean, and the waters surrounding Australia and Hawaii.

Physical Characteristics:

Green sea turtles are known for their impressive size, typically reaching lengths of 3 to 4 feet (0.9 to 1.2 meters) and weighing between 200 to 500 pounds (90 to 227 kg). Their shell is heart-shaped, featuring a smooth carapace that ranges in color from olive to dark brown. Distinctive features include a large head and a beak-like mouth, which are adaptations for their herbivorous diet.

Behavior:

Chelonia mydas exhibit fascinating behaviors such as long migratory patterns driven by the need for feeding and nesting. They are known to travel vast distances between foraging habitats and breeding grounds. Socially, they can often be seen basking on beaches or interacting with one another in shallow waters. Their unique nesting behavior involves returning to the same beaches where they were born, often at night.

Diet:

Green sea turtles are primarily herbivorous, feeding on a variety of marine vegetation, including seagrasses and algae. They play a crucial role in maintaining the health of seagrass beds through their grazing habits, which promotes growth and provides habitat for other marine life. Their diet is also supplemented by a small amount of invertebrates, showing their adaptability in feeding habits.

Reproduction:

The reproductive habits of Chelonia mydas are fascinating. Breeding typically occurs during the warmer months, with females coming ashore every two to four years to nest. Each nesting season, a female lays between 100 to 200 eggs in a single clutch, burying them in the sand. After approximately 60 days, the eggs hatch, and the hatchlings make a perilous journey to the ocean, often in response to natural light.

Conservation Status:

Chelonia mydas is currently listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Major threats include habitat loss, poaching, and the impact of climate change. Conservation efforts are crucial to help protect their nesting sites and reduce human-related threats.

Interesting Facts:

Did you know that Chelonia mydas can hold their breath for several hours while diving? Additionally, they possess a unique adaptation that allows them to excrete salt from their bodies through specialized glands, enabling them to thrive in marine environments despite being reptiles.

Role in Ecosystem:

Chelonia mydas play a vital role in marine ecosystems as herbivores, helping to maintain seagrass beds, which are important for coastal protection and as habitats for various marine species. Their interactions with other marine organisms, including the symbiotic relationships with small fish and invertebrates that clean their shells, underscore their ecological importance.