Green sea turtle - Chelonia mydas
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The green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) is a species of large sea turtle that belongs to the family Cheloniidae. It is the only species in its genus and has a wide, smooth shell that can be brown, green, black, or gray. The green sea turtle is named for the greenish color of its fat and cartilage, not its shell. It is the largest hard-shelled sea turtle and can weigh up to 400 pounds. Unlike other sea turtles, the green sea turtle is mostly herbivorous, feeding on seagrasses and algae. This helps maintain the health and productivity of the seagrass beds, which are important habitats for many marine animals. The green sea turtle lives in tropical and subtropical waters around the world and migrates long distances between its feeding grounds and nesting beaches. It is classified as endangered by the IUCN and faces threats from over-harvesting, illegal trade, fisheries bycatch, fishing gear, plastic pollution and loss of nesting sites (habitat loss).
Gallery
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Green turtle swimming over coral reefs in Kona
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Green Sea Turtle grazing on seagrass
