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 4, 2026
A dynamic underwater scene featuring multiple marine species. Several blacktip reef sharks cruise through the lagoon, while a large zebra shark with a long, sweeping tail swims closer to the camera near the end of the clip. A green sea turtle is seen resting on the sandy bottom near a coral structure on the right side of the frame. In the background, scuba divers are visible performing maintenance or monitoring tasks.
May 30, 2026
A Green Sea Turtle is seen resting on the sandy floor of the lagoon. It occasionally adjusts its position, moving its head and front flippers while staying close to a rock formation.
May 29, 2026
Sunlight filters through the water of the lagoon, illuminating a diverse community of marine life. A male California Sheephead, with its striking pink and black coloration, swims through the middle of the enclosure. In the foreground, a unicornfish cruises along the bottom, its distinctive forehead horn clearly visible. To the right, a Zebra Shark rests on the sand, while another glides through the background showing its characteristic long tail. A Green Sea Turtle is also briefly visible swimming near the surface.
May 29, 2026
In the calm waters of the lagoon, a Green Sea Turtle is seen resting on the sandy floor near an artificial reef structure. Several sharks cruise slowly through the background, while a large ray sits nearly still in the foreground. The scene is quiet, with minimal movement from the resting animals.
May 29, 2026
A Green Sea Turtle is seen resting on the sandy floor of the lagoon next to a small artificial reef structure. A reddish California Sheephead swims across the foreground, while several sharks cruise through the water column in the background.
May 19, 2026
A Green Sea Turtle is seen resting motionless on a central rock and coral formation. In the background and foreground, several rays glide gracefully through the lagoon, their dark silhouettes contrasting against the light sandy floor.
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
Record Green Sea Turtle at your habitat
Connect a camera to start building your own species record — AI identifies every visitor automatically.