The Green Turtle is the largest hard shelled turtle. For years these beautiful reptiles were hunted for their shells, fat and meat. Green Turtles are endangered and their are only between 85,000 to 90,000 nesting females. These incredible turtles can rest underwater for up to 5 hours without coming up to breath!! However when they are swimming they come up every 3-5min.
Habitat
Green Turtles live in tropical oceans and Sea Grass beds. They nest in about 80 different countries and live in more than 140 countries. The largest population are in Costa Rica and Australia. Description Green Turtles have dark brown, grey or olive collared shells and a white/yellow underside. A typical adult is 90cm to 1m long and between 136kg and 158kg in weight. They can live up to 80 years in the wild. |
Diet
Unlike most turtles, Green turtles are mostly herbivores, eating Sea Grasses, Algae and Mangroves. They will also eat fish and their eggs, jellyfish, sponges and shellfish.
Threats
The main threat to Green Turtles is plastic. The turtles can either eat the plastic or get it caught around their necks. It is estimated that 52% of the worlds turtles have eaten plastic waste. As well as plastic, turtles suffer habitat loss and illegal poaching.
How do we help them?
Some ways we can help is to pick up any rubbish, because it will most likely make it's was into the ocean for Turtles to mistake for food and eat. If you are around Green Turtles, keep your distance and if you are boating, slow down and keep your engine in neutral. Another way to protect Green Turtles is to help protect their habitat, mostly the beaches they nest on. At night, keep the beach dark otherwise baby turtles will get confused and head the wrong way. it is also helpful to not drive on the beach, fill in any holes and knock down sandcastles as the young turtles have enough trouble getting to the ocean, without needing to worry about holes, castles or ruts that could slow their progress. A final way to help it to adopt a Green Turtle. You can find out more about it on WWF. All the money goes to Green Turtle conservation.
References
WWF:
www.worldwildlife.org/species/green-turtle
https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/what-do-sea-turtles-eat-unfortunately-plastic-bags
Oceana:
https://oceana.org/marine-life/sea-turtles-reptiles/green-turtle
DOC:
www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/marine-fish-and-reptiles/sea-turtles/
NOAA Fisheries:
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/green-turtle
Sea Turtle Conservancy:
www.conserveturtles.org/information-sea-turtles-green-sea-turtle/
INaturalist NZ:
https://inaturalist.nz/guide_taxa/712220
National Geographic Kids:
https://www.natgeokids.com/nz/discover/animals/sea-life/green-sea-turtle-facts/
ICUN Red List:
https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/4615/11037468#population
Olive Ridley Project:
https://oliveridleyproject.org/ufaqs/how-many-sea-turtles-are-left