Facts

Green turtles are named after the green color of their fat rather than their skin or shell color (Arkive, 2013).

Some green turtle populations in Brazil migrate 2,250 km to get to their breeding grounds in the Ascension Islands (Arkive, 2013).

Also known as the Black turtle, Pacific green turtle, or Green sea turtle (Encyclopedia, 2013).

The green turtle can grow up to 4ft long and weigh over 400 pounds (U.S., 2013).

Green turtles have been seen floating on the ocean's surface and scientists believe this is how they sleep. They also have been seen sleeping on remote rock ledges and sandy beaches in Hawaii (Pope, 1971).

Chelonia mydas was featured in the Disney Pixar's animated film, Finding Nemo.

Finding Nemo - Crush
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Availability of fresh meat of the green turtle was a major factor in exploration of the New World in the 16th through 18th century (Klemens, 2000).

The fossilized remains found in Florida signify that the Chelonia mydas has occurred in the Florida region for up to tens of thousands of years (Pope, 1971).

Forbidding the killing of Chelonia mydas was first established in the year 1620 by the Burmuda Assembly (Bustard, 1972). Turtles under the length of 18 in. in shell size were not allowed to be killed (Bustard, 1972).

Green turtles are differentiated from similar marine turtle species by small differences in appearance: the possession of a single pair of scales located in front of the eyes, one set of claws on their front flippers, and the serrated edge of their mandible (Arkive, 2013).

 

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