Quick answer
The green sea turtle is a large marine reptile found in warm oceans worldwide, named for the greenish color of its body fat rather than its shell. Adults are unusual among sea turtles in being mostly herbivorous, grazing on seagrass and algae. They migrate long distances between feeding grounds and the beaches where they hatched, and can live 70 to 80 years or more.
Key takeaway
The green sea turtle is a large marine reptile found in warm oceans worldwide, named for the greenish color of its body fat rather than its shell. Adults are unusual among sea turtles in being mostly herbivorous, grazing on seagrass and algae. They migrate long distances between feeding grounds and the beaches where they hatched, and can live 70 to 80 years or more.
Overview
The green sea turtle is a large marine reptile found in warm oceans worldwide, named for the greenish color of its body fat rather than its shell. Adults are unusual among sea turtles in being mostly herbivorous, grazing on seagrass and algae. They migrate long distances between feeding grounds and the beaches where they hatched, and can live 70 to 80 years or more.
Biology
Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) is classified as Reptile with conservation status Endangered. Typical weight Up to 160 kg (350 lb); lifespan around 70–80+ years.
Ecology
Diet: Herbivore as adults (seagrass, algae). Habitat: Tropical and subtropical coastal seas. Movement and social systems reflect those pressures.
People and this species
Learn before you travel or keep related pets. Wild individuals are not toys; captive care needs species-specific husbandry.
Further reading
See the full Green Sea Turtle profile for FAQs, taxonomy, and related guides on this site.
Behavior and migration
Green sea turtles undertake some of the longest migrations of any reptile, traveling hundreds or thousands of kilometers between feeding areas and nesting beaches. Remarkably, females return to the very beach where they hatched to lay their own eggs, navigating using the Earth's magnetic field.
Diet
Hatchlings and juveniles eat a mix of animals and plants, but adults switch to a largely herbivorous diet of seagrass and algae. This grazing keeps seagrass meadows healthy, making green turtles important to coastal ecosystems.
Habitat and range
Green sea turtles live in tropical and subtropical waters around the world, favoring shallow coastal areas with seagrass beds and coral reefs. They come ashore only to nest, with females digging nests on sandy beaches at night.
Conservation
Green sea turtles are listed as Endangered. They face threats from hunting, egg collection, accidental capture in fishing gear, plastic pollution, and the loss of nesting beaches to coastal development and rising seas. Protected nesting sites and fishing regulations are helping some populations recover.
Research notes
Figures for green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) come from field studies, museum records, and conservation assessments that do not always agree on exact averages. Prefer ranges over single-point claims, and check whether a source describes wild, captive, or mixed populations.
Practical takeaways
If you encounter green sea turtles in the wild, prioritise distance and local guidance. If you care for related domestic or captive animals, match diet and housing to species needs rather than generic pet advice. Share accurate status information (Endangered) when discussing conservation.
Sources
FAQs
Green Sea Turtle: Key Facts & Natural History?
The green sea turtle is a large marine reptile found in warm oceans worldwide, named for the greenish color of its body fat rather than its shell. Adults are unusual among sea turtles in being mostly herbivorous, grazing on seagrass and algae. They migrate long distances between feeding grounds and the beaches where they hatched, and can live 70 to 80 years or more.
What is the scientific name of the green sea turtle?
Chelonia mydas
What do green sea turtles eat?
Herbivore as adults (seagrass, algae)
Where do green sea turtles live?
Tropical and subtropical coastal seas
Are green sea turtles endangered?
Listed here as Endangered. Check IUCN and national lists for the latest assessment.