# 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. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 18 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas - **Also known as:** Green Sea Turtle, Green Turtle, Honu ![Sea Turtle](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425886/objects/6399.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Testudines - **Order:** Testudines - **Family:** Cheloniidae - **Genus:** Chelonia ## 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 - **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. - **Saltwater Crier:** Sea turtles have special glands near their eyes that help them cry out excess salt from the ocean water they drink. - **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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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 - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Thermoregulating](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/thermoregulating): Thermoregulating organisms maintain a stable internal body temperature despite fluctuations in the external environment. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## 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 to identify Sea Turtle? Compare shell shape, shell markings, head stripes and the shape of the feet. Wear, age and algae can hide shell patterns. Turtle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## Where to spot - [Allerton Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/allerton-garden) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden - [Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/amy-b-h-greenwell-ethnobotanical-garden) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden - [Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hawaii-tropical-botanical-garden) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden - [Kahaluu Bay](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kahaluu-bay) — Hawaii, US · Historic District - [Lahaina Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lahaina-historic-district) — US · Historic District - [Lyon Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lyon-arboretum) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Sea Turtle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/sea-turtle) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Sea Turtle: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sea-turtle)