Green+Turtle+2010

By: Shiv P

Chelonia mydas known as the Green Turtle is a large sea turtle. The Green Turtle has a flattened body covered by a big teardrop-shaped carapace and a pair of large paddle-like flippers. It is colored-lightly except that its carapace’s huge range from olive-brown to black. They can grow up to be 5 feet long and weigh up to 690 pounds. The Green Turtle spends most of his life in shallow, coastal waters with lush sea grass beds. Adults frequent in shore bays, lagoons, and shoals with lush seaweed meadows. Adult Green Turtles are obligate herbivores. They feed almost entirely on sea grass and seaweed. While mature Green Turtles are entirely herbivorous juveniles eat marine invertebrates. Juveniles live as carnivores until they reach age 5 when they move ashore and turn to plants for the rest of their life. Females haul out onto beaches, dig nests and lay eggs during the night. After 45 to 75 days the eggs hatch and the baby’s head into the water by instinct. The Green Turtle is endangered because of development. Most turtles die because they get caught in fishing nets. Also their shells were used to make handbags is another reason. Finally, how we can save them is by not making development in nesting areas. Beach-front construction and increased tourism are examples of such development.