Morphology
Green Sea Turtles are not named because of the color of their shell, but the color of their fat. They are bilaterally symmetrical and can grow to around five feet and can weigh up to 700 pounds. Their top shell, or carapace, is smooth and contains shadings of brown, black, green, gray, and yellow. Their bottom shell, or plastron, is a yellowish white color.
Biology
Green Sea Turtles are very strong swimmers. Their forelimbs are long and paddle-like which aid them in their swimming. Sea Turtles in general are known for salt excretion through their lacrymal glands. This helps keep them from becoming dehydrated, as well as it keeps their internal organs from failing.
Distribution Map
Importance
Green Sea Turtles are of great economic importance worldwide - mainly for their source of protein. "Turtle soup" made from these sea turtles has been advertised since the 17th century. Sea Turtles in general are one of the few species known to eat sea grass. This is important because sea grass needs to be cut short healthy and help it grow. Sea Turtles are also known for laying eggs in dunes and on beaches. Some eggs do not hatch, and the unhatched eggs are wonderful sources of nutrients for dune vegetation.
Facts
1. Green Sea Turtles are only 5cm long when born.
2. Green Sea Turtles cannot retracts their heads into their bodies.
3. They can hold their breath for hours at a time.
4. Females can lay up to 200 eggs at a time.
5. Green Sea Turtles can reach up to 35 mph.
2. Green Sea Turtles cannot retracts their heads into their bodies.
3. They can hold their breath for hours at a time.
4. Females can lay up to 200 eggs at a time.
5. Green Sea Turtles can reach up to 35 mph.
Vocabulary
1. caruncle - Sea turtle hatchling’s temporary egg tooth.
2. pelagic - living in the open ocean
3. scute - bony plate or or scale on the shell or a turtle
4. herbivore - animal that feeds on plant life
5. plastron - underbelly of a sea turtle
2. pelagic - living in the open ocean
3. scute - bony plate or or scale on the shell or a turtle
4. herbivore - animal that feeds on plant life
5. plastron - underbelly of a sea turtle