Green Sea Turtles are the largest of the hard-shelled marine turtles. At birth, hatchlings weigh only 1 ounce and have a shell that averages just 2 inches in length. A mature adult can grow to 440 pounds with a maximum length of 4 feet. The life span of a Green Sea Turtle is unknown, although estimated to reach 80 years. Little is known about longevity since hatchlings soon go lost after they enter the surf. Perhaps floating among rafts of seaweed for food and protection, they are typically not seen again until they reach maturity. This can be a very long time, as Green Sea Turtles average 25 years to sexual maturity.
Hawaii Sea Turtles
Sea Turtles Nesting
Hawaii Green Sea Turtles
HawaiiSeaTurtle.com
A N Y W H E R E !
A N Y T I M E !
History
The Green Sea Turtle, commonly seen on the Islands of Hawaii, is among one of seven recognized species of marine turtles. The others are the Leatherback, Hawksbill, Flatback, Olive Ridley, Kemp's Ridley, and Loggerhead. The Leatherback is the only soft-shelled sea turtle, with the rest having a bony outer shell. Unlike most land turtles, the Green Sea Turtle cannot retract its head into the shell. When resting, Green Sea Turtles can stay below the surface for more than 2 1/2 hours. This is not the case when they are active, however, as they must surface every few minutes to breathe. The Green Sea Turtle is beautifully adapted to marine life. While a formidable source of protection, its shell is lighter than its land-based cousins. This feature, coupled with limbs that have evolved into paddle-like flippers, makes the Green Sea Turtle an efficient swimmer. Reaching up to 15 miles per hour, they can cross vast distances in a short period of time. Considering their size and agility, Green Sea Turtles have few predators: mainly man and shark. Tiger sharks in particular prey upon them. The story is much bleaker for hatchlings. Life begins by having to dig out of the sand and then race to the surf. Hatchlings have many adversaries, such as hungry crabs, seabirds, fishes, and the hot sun. Sadly, most don't survive. Many are not even provided the opportunity to hatch, falling prey to raccoons, dogs, and human poachers believing them to have aphrodisiac power.
Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
How Big Do They Get?
HawaiiSeaTurtle.com
Sea Turtle Shop
The magnificent Sea Turtle has existed on our planet more than 200 million years, making it one of the few creatures to live through the evolution and extinction of the dinosaur. The first Sea Turtle appears in the fossil record in the Late Jurassic Period between 208 and 144 million years ago. This enduring creature belongs to a handful of modern day reptiles, such as the Sea Snake and the Saltwater Crocodile, which depend on the sea for survival. They are descendants of an ancient ancestor that evolved on land and returned to the water. Like all reptiles, they are cold-blooded. This means that their body temperature changes with their environment. They breathe air through lungs and share the traits of other reptiles, such as scaly skin. Today, they can be found inhabiting the tropical and sub-tropical oceans of the world. Early Hawaiians used them as a source of food, tools, and ornamentation.
