ExploreReptiles

Sea Turtle

Chelonia mydas

Sea turtles are ancient reptiles that live in the ocean. They have flippers to help them swim and can hold their breath for a long time underwater. Sea turtles travel long distances and are important for keeping marine ecosystems healthy.

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The Sea Turtle has a smooth, heart-shaped carapace (shell) that ranges from olive-brown to black, often with lighter streaks. Its underside is typically yellowish-white. Unlike land turtles, it possesses powerful, paddle-like front flippers for efficient propulsion through water.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassTestudinesOrderTestudinesFamilyCheloniidaeGenusChelonia
Sea Turtle
herbivorous trait badgethermoregulating trait badgeancient_lineage trait badgelongevous trait badge
Sea Turtle

Category

Reptiles

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

A mother sea turtle often travels thousands of miles to lay her eggs on her birth beach!

Baby turtles know how to swim the instant they hatch and reach the ocean, it's amazing!

Some sea turtles can slow their heart rate to just one beat every nine minutes when diving deep!

The sand temperature where eggs incubate decides if baby turtles are boys or girls!

Special abilities

Ability

Ocean Navigator

Sea turtles can use the Earth's magnetic field as a built-in GPS, which helps them find their way across vast oceans.

Ability

Saltwater Crier

Sea turtles have special glands near their eyes that help them cry out excess salt from the ocean water they drink.

Ability

Breath-Holding Champ

Sea turtles can hold their breath for hours, allowing them to dive deep for food or rest on the seafloor.

Measurements & details

Length
78-112 cm
Weight
110-318 kg
Lifespan
80-100 years
Top Speed
35 km/h
Swim Speed
3.5 km/h
Clutch Size
75-200
Incubation
45-75 days
Maximum Depth
200 m

Diet & Feeding

Green sea turtles are mostly plant-eaters, munching on tasty seagrass and algae!

Age differences: Young sea turtles eat more invertebrates like jellyfish, but adults become mostly vegetarian.

Primary Foods

  • Seagrass
  • Algae
  • Mangrove leaves

Foraging Method

  • Grazing

Ecological connections

eaten by

Tiger Shark

Galeocerdo cuvier

Large adult sea turtles are hunted by this powerful apex predator.

eats

Ghost Crab

Ocypode quadrata

Hatchling sea turtles are vulnerable prey for these crabs on nesting beaches.

depends on

Turtle Grass

Thalassia testudinum

This seagrass is a primary food source for adult green sea turtles.

Traits

Also known as

Green Sea TurtleGreen TurtleHonu

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always admire sea turtles from a safe distance and never disturb their nests on the beach.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Sea Turtle?

78-112 cm

How much does Sea Turtle weigh?

110-318 kg

How long does Sea Turtle live?

80-100 years

How fast can Sea Turtle move?

35 km/h

What does Sea Turtle eat?

Green sea turtles are mostly plant-eaters, munching on tasty seagrass and algae!

How fast can Sea Turtle swim?

3.5 km/h

Where is Sea Turtle usually found?

Coastal areas

How does Sea Turtle hunt?

Grazing

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.

Where to spot

More Reptiles