Why are sea turtles called green sea turtles?
So, why are they called “green” sea turtles, then? Well, these cool creatures are named for their layer of green fat that lies under their shell. Scientists believe this unusual quirky-coloured fat is the result of their veggie diet – unlike most other sea turtles, the green sea turtle eats marine plants such as seaweed and sea grass.
What are the characteristics of a green turtle?
Other distinct characteristics of the green turtle are their serrated beak on the lower jaws and two large scales located between the eyes. Green turtles, like all sea turtles, are reptiles and must surface to breathe and lay their eggs on land.
How are green sea turtles important to the ecosystem?
On the nesting beaches, the green sea turtles provide key nutrients for the ecosystem through their hatched egg shells. In their coral reef habitat, the green sea turtles have a symbiotic interaction with reef fish, including the yellow tang. The yellow tang fish swims along with the turtle and feeds on the algae,…
Why are green turtles bad for the environment?
New research supported by WWF is indicating that green turtles living near urban and farming areas are absorbing thousands of agricultural and industrial chemicals which may possibly be having a negative impact on their health.
Why do green turtles eat sea grass?
Green turtles graze on seagrasses and algae , which maintains the seagrass beds and makes them more productive (much like mowing the lawn to keep it healthy). Seagrass consumed by green turtles is quickly digested and becomes available as recycled nutrients to the many species of plants and animals that live in the sea grass ecosystem.
Why is green sea turtle endangered animal?
Like other sea turtles, they migrate long distances between feeding grounds and the beaches from where they hatched. Classified as endangered, green turtles are threatened by overharvesting of their eggs, hunting of adults, being caught in fishing gear and loss of nesting beach sites.
Why are green sea turtles being hunted?
The numbers of green turtles around the world has dropped by more than half over the last 150 years. The main reasons are hunting of turtles and the taking of their eggs. Many turtles are killed when they get caught in fishing nets. There is also a disease called fibropapillomatosis which is affecting them.
What is the life span of a green sea turtle?
Of the seven species of sea turtles on the globe, the hawksbill has the shortest lifespan at 30 to 50 years, and the green turtle has the longest at 80 years or more. The largest and smallest sea turtles–the leatherback and the kemp’s ridley, respectively–both have an average lifespan of 45 to 50 years.
