Common green turtle
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Common green turtle

Chelonia mydas

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_sea_turtle

Overview

The green sea turtle, also known as the green turtle, black sea turtle, and Pacific green turtle, is a species of large sea turtle of the family Cheloniidae. It is the only species in the genus Chelonia. Its range extends throughout tropical and subtropical seas around the world, with two distinct populations in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, but it is also found in the Indian Ocean.

The common name refers to the usually green fat found beneath its carapace, due to its diet strictly being seagrass, not to the color of its carapace, which is olive to black.

Common green turtles face significant threats throughout their range, primarily from coastal development that destroys critical nesting beaches and feeding habitats. Incidental capture in fishing gear, illegal harvesting for meat and eggs, marine pollution including plastic debris, and climate change impacts on nesting sites and sex ratios contribute to their vulnerable status.

Threat summary

Habitat

Green turtles inhabit tropical and subtropical coastal waters, coral reefs, seagrass beds, and algae-rich nearshore areas for feeding, while females return to sandy beaches for nesting. Juveniles often utilize coastal lagoons, estuaries, and shallow bays as nursery habitats.

MARINE· major

Frequently asked questions

Why is Common green turtle classified as Vulnerable?
Common green turtle is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Common green turtles face significant threats throughout their range, primarily from coastal development that destroys critical nesting beaches and feeding habitats. Incidental capture in fishing gear, illegal harvesting for meat and eggs, marine pollution including plastic debris, and climate change impacts on nesting sites and sex ratios contribute to their vulnerable status.
Where does Common green turtle live?
Common green turtle occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Common green turtle?
The main threats to Common green turtle are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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