Green Sea Turtle

Green sea turtles grow to about 1.3 meters and reach 200 kg in weight.  A distinguishing character of these individuals is the two large oblong preocular scales between their eyes.  Their name comes from the color of its fat, not the general color of the animal.  The adult’s shell can range from a rusty red-brown color to light brown with darker molting.  The green turtle, being a medium sized sea turtle, can be distinguished from the loggerhead by counting the number of costal scutes on the carapace: a green turtle has four and a loggerhead has five.

Green turtles are generally found in shallow waters along reefs and in estuaries and bays that contain grass beds.  They are found globally in tropical and subtropical waters.  They are known for their long distance migrations (over 2,000 km) between feeding and nesting grounds.  They are mostly herbivorous and feed on a variety of sea grasses and marine algae. 

Nesting females typically lay from 75 to 150 eggs per clutch and the eggs incubate for about 60 days before hatching.  Green turtles are known to nests in Ghana; however, the nesting patterns are still being documented.  Ghana Wildlife Division reports that green turtles nest in Ada Foah; however, we have yet to document one.  They are likely nesting during the months of June, July, and August.  In 2008 we will have student surveying the beach to confirm nesting of this species.

Green sea turtles are listed as endangered in some parts of the world and threatened in other parts.  Through much of the 1900s, there was a well established commercial fishery for green turtles as green turtle soup was commonly served as a delicacy throughout its range.  Habitat loss is slowing the recovery efforts as pollution and development have caused the global reduction in grass beds.