28/05/2024
Green turtles play a significant ecological role in marine environments. By grazing on seagrasses, they help maintain healthy seagrass beds, which serve as critical habitats for various marine species and act as carbon
Green turtles, scientifically known as *Chelonia mydas*, are a vital species of marine turtle found primarily in tropical and subtropical seas. They are notable for their distinctive greenish-colored fat, from which they derive their common name. These turtles play a crucial role in marine ecosystems, contributing to the health of seagrass beds and coral reefs.
Their carapace is smooth, often with a heart-shaped outline, and ranges in color from olive to dark brown with various patterns
Green turtles are among the largest sea turtles, with adult carapace lengths ranging from 1 to 1.5 meters and weights between 135 to 350 kilograms. Their carapace is smooth, often with a heart-shaped outline, and ranges in color from olive to dark brown with various patterns. Unlike other sea turtles, green turtles have a single pair of prefrontal scales between their eyes, distinguishing them from similar species.
Green turtles inhabit the coastal regions of over 80 countries, with major nesting sites located in Costa Rica, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and the Hawaiian Islands. They prefer shallow lagoons, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs, which provide abundant food resources and suitable nesting grounds. During their life cycle, they undertake long migrations between feeding grounds and nesting sites, sometimes covering thousands of kilometers.
Green turtles are unique among sea turtles due to their primarily herbivorous diet as adults. They feed predominantly on seagrasses and algae, which helps maintain the health of seagrass beds by preventing overgrowth and promoting nutrient cycling. Juveniles, however, are more omnivorous, consuming a variety of invertebrates and fish before transitioning to a plant-based diet as they mature.
Female green turtles reach sexual maturity between 20 to 50 years of age, depending on environmental conditions and genetic factors. They return to the same beaches where they were born to lay their eggs, a phenomenon known as natal homing. Nesting typically occurs at night, with females laying multiple clutches of around 100-200 eggs per nesting season. The eggs incubate for about 60 days before hatchlings emerge and make their perilous journey to the sea.
Green turtles are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to numerous threats they face throughout their life cycle. Major threats include habitat loss, climate change, poaching for their meat and shells, accidental capture in fishing gear (bycatch), and pollution. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect this species, involving measures such as protecting nesting beaches, regulating fisheries, and international agreements like CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
Green turtles play a significant ecological role in marine environments. By grazing on seagrasses, they help maintain healthy seagrass beds, which serve as critical habitats for various marine species and act as carbon sinks. Their nesting activities also contribute nutrients to beach ecosystems, supporting diverse plant and animal communities.
Green turtles are an indispensable part of marine biodiversity, with unique biological traits and essential ecological functions. Despite facing numerous challenges, ongoing conservation efforts offer hope for their survival. Protecting green turtles requires global cooperation and dedicated action to ensure these magnificent creatures continue to thrive in our oceans for generations to come.