Green sea turtles are circumglobal (IUCN), which means that they have a worldwide distribution. However, during different stages of their life green sea turtles inhabit different locations. When green sea turtles are not nesting they tend to expand their distribution to include both tropical and temperate waters. Conversely when they are nesting green sea turtles they frequent tropical waters.
If green sea turtles are found onshore they tend to be large open beaches away from commercialized (tourist) areas. They can also be found in small coves or areas where seagrasses can be found (SeaTurtlesofIndia.org); because they prefer coastlines and islands they’re seldom seen in open water. |
Diet also affects the habitat for green sea turtles. Baby turtles, smaller than 10 inches, tend to eat aquatic insects, algae, small crustaceans, worms, and grasses (SeaTurtleConservancy). When C. mydas are juveniles (larger than 10 inches) they can eat algae, jellyfish, young crustaceans, and sea grass; however only when they’re adults are C. mydas herbivorous (IUCN).
Female turtles reach their sexual maturity between 20-50 years of age. During this time they’ll return to their natal beach every 2 to 4 years to nest. Within that nesting period a female can have anywhere from 3 to 5 nests that season. Each nest can have an average of 115 eggs (SeaTurtleConservancy); these eggs normally have an incubation period of 60 days. However the actual amount of female sea turtles that nest each year is unknown. |