Green Sea Turtle
Chelonia mydas
Meet the ocean's most famous gardener. The Green Sea Turtle is a majestic marine wanderer whose diet of seagrass keeps our coastal ecosystems healthy and vibrant.
Quick Identification
Size
Carapace length of 80-120 cm (31-47 inches); weight typically ranges from 150-190 kg (330-420 lbs)
Colors
Carapace is mottled olive, brown, or black; plastron (underside) is pale yellow or cream. Adults do not show sexual dimorphism in color, though males have longer tails.
Key Features
- Single pair of prefrontal scales between eyes
- Heart-shaped, smooth carapace with four lateral scutes
- Serrated lower jaw adapted for grazing
- Large, paddle-like flippers with a single visible claw
When You’ll See Them
Sightings on EverydayEarth
Jun 22, 2026
In this underwater scene, a large shark swims slowly across the background of the lagoon. A green sea turtle is seen resting quietly on the sandy floor, partially sheltered beneath a rock formation on the right. Several other fish species swim throughout the water column, including a silver, laterally-compressed fish that passes through the foreground.
Jun 21, 2026
In the underwater habitat of Shark Lagoon, a Green Sea Turtle rests calmly on the sandy substrate near a rock formation. Several California Sheephead and other smaller fish swim actively around a central reef-like structure. Multiple Bat Rays are seen gliding gracefully through the water, with some passing close to the camera and others appearing as silhouettes against the far wall.
Jun 18, 2026
An active underwater scene in a lagoon habitat. A Blacktip Reef Shark swims across the foreground from right to left, while a Zebra Shark with a long, trailing tail moves along the sandy bottom in the lower right. In the background, a Green Sea Turtle glides through the water, and several rays and smaller fish navigate around the central reef structures.
Jun 17, 2026
A Green Sea Turtle is active on the sandy floor of the lagoon, exploring and foraging around artificial reef and coral structures. In the background, a Bat Ray glides through the upper water column. Several fish are also seen darting across the foreground and mid-ground of the habitat.
Jun 16, 2026
A large Zebra Shark glides past the camera, showing its characteristic long tail and spotted pattern. A Green Sea Turtle rests quietly on the sandy floor in the lower-left corner, while a Blacktip Reef Shark and several smaller fish cruise through the background of the tank.
Jun 12, 2026
A Blacktip Reef Shark cruises low over the sandy lagoon floor, passing between coral rock formations. Simultaneously, a Green Sea Turtle enters the frame from the right and swims upward toward the surface. Small schools of fish dart around the artificial reef structures as a larger shark passes very close to the camera lens at the end of the clip.
Geographic range
Where Does the Green Sea Turtle Live?
The Green Sea Turtle is a truly global species, inhabiting the tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. They are native to the coastlines of over 140 countries, with significant populations centered around the Caribbean, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and the Hawaiian archipelago. While they roam the open ocean as juveniles, adults remain primarily within the coastal zones of equatorial regions.
Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors
Behavior
Green sea turtles are the world's great maritime wanderers, known for undertaking extraordinary migrations that span thousands of miles between their feeding grounds and the specific natal beaches where they return to nest. While they spend most of their time submerged, they are air-breathers that must surface every few minutes when active, though they can stay underwater for several hours while resting or sleeping.
These turtles are generally solitary but can be found in large numbers in areas with abundant seagrass or during the nesting season. They are remarkably graceful in the water, using their powerful front flippers to 'fly' through the marine environment. While they are often wary of humans, they have become a staple of ecotourism in areas where they have grown accustomed to snorkelers and divers.
EverydayEarth exclusive
Camera Tips
Capturing Green Sea Turtles on a trail camera requires a coastal setup, specifically targeting nesting beaches or tidal flats. If you are monitoring a nesting beach, place your camera on a low stake (about 12-18 inches high) near the vegetation line where turtles are likely to dig their nests. Angle the camera slightly upward to catch the turtle's face and the high-arching shell. Because these animals are highly sensitive to light, it is critical to use 'No-Glow' or 'Black' infrared flash settings; a standard white flash or even a visible red glow can cause a nesting female to abandon her eggs and return to the sea.
Timing is everything when filming on the beach. Set your camera to burst mode or short video clips (15-30 seconds) during the night hours of the nesting season. Look for 'crawls'—distinctive tracks in the sand that look like heavy tire treads—to identify high-traffic paths. If you are hoping to capture hatchlings, monitor the nest site approximately 45 to 60 days after the eggs were laid, focusing the camera on the depression in the sand where the 'boil' of emerging turtles will occur.
For those with access to saltwater docks or backyard canals in tropical regions, consider mounting a camera overlooking a known seagrass patch during high tide. Green Sea Turtles are creatures of habit and often return to the same grazing spots daily. Using a polarized filter on your camera lens can help reduce water surface glare, allowing you to see the turtle's shell more clearly as it surfaces for air or grazes in the shallows.
Frequently Asked Questions
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