Green Turtles

The Atlantic green turtle, Chelonia mydas, is a medium to large brownish sea turtle with a radiating or mottled pattern of markings on the shell. The head is small in comparison to the other sea turtles and the biting edge of the lower jaw is serrated. Adults shell lengths range in size from 0.9-1.1 meters (36-43 inches) and weights average 90-137 kilograms (200-300 pounds).

Green turtles have been called the world's most valuable reptile. This refers to its history as a food source. Unfortunately, millions of these animals have ended up in the soup pot. The very name green turtle refers to its greenish fat which is used to make the famous green turtle soup.

Vegetarians as adults, green turtles graze on sea grass pastures of the tropics. Juvenile green turtles are summer visitors along the southeast coast where they feed on algae, sea grasses and crustaceans. Some adult green turtles nest in Florida.

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Materials published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and text from the Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary written by John A. Crawford were used to create this page about green turtles.