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Green sea turtle
Chelonia mydas
39.2909, -76.6108
Field Notes
Description:
Green sea turtles are found in all tropical and subtropical seas along the coasts of continents and islands. They have an approximate shell length of 3.5 feet and weigh up to 400 pounds. Sea turtles are unable to pull their heads into their shells. The shells of sea turtles are lighter and than the shells of turtles that live on land, allowing them to glide easily through water. They are able to swim long distances because their feet are flippers. Adult male sea turtles live their entire lives at sea, but females return to land—to the same beach where they were born—once every two years or so to lay their eggs. Green sea turtles have a serrated beak for tearing vegetation. Their vegetarian diet gives their fat a greenish color, which is how the green sea turtle got its name. Adults feed on sea grasses and algae. In the United States, this species is listed as threatened or endangered.
Habitat:
This green sea turtle lives in captivity at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland. This turtle is missing a front flipper. Based on information from the National Aquarium's website, this turtle was rescued off Long Island, New York. It suffered severe damage to its front flipper. Now lives in their black-tipped reef exhibit.
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