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Chelonia mydas
A coastal grazer with a surprisingly long journey between meals and nesting beaches.
Meet this turtle
Green turtles have a hard shell and a relatively small head. Adults mainly eat seagrass and algae. Young turtles spend part of their early life offshore before moving into coastal feeding habitats. Females may travel hundreds or thousands of miles between feeding and nesting areas.
Conservation in context
NOAA lists green turtle populations separately under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. A global conservation category does not replace regional protections.
Global assessments and national legal listings answer different questions. For a dated global comparison, see the seven-species guide. Categories can change as assessments are updated.
Think like a scientist
How could protecting a seagrass meadow help a turtle that nests far away?
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Check the source
NOAA Fisheries: Green turtle. Source checked . This is an editorial source check, not independent scientific certification.