Reptiles · Testudines
Green Sea Turtle
Chelonia mydas
Endangered
Turtles are reptiles protected by a bony shell, found in oceans, rivers, lakes, and on land across most of the world. The group includes sea turtles, freshwater turtles, and land-dwelling tortoises.
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Family: Cheloniidae
Genus: Chelonia
Species: mydas
Related species: Loggerhead, leatherback, hawksbill turtles & land tortoises — order Testudines
Weight
Up to 1,500 lbs across the group (leatherback sea turtle, the largest species).
Habitat
Ocean, freshwater, and terrestrial habitats, depending on species.
Description
A hard, bony shell fused to the spine and ribcage, and flipper-like limbs adapted for swimming.
Diet
Omnivore in most species — plants, insects, and small animals; green sea turtles are mostly herbivorous as adults.
The Shell
Permanently fused to the skeleton — a turtle can never leave or be removed from its shell.
Migration
Sea turtles travel long distances between feeding grounds and their natal nesting beaches.
Nesting
Females return to the beach where they hatched to lay their own eggs in the sand.
Sex Determination
Nest temperature determines hatchling sex — warmer sand produces more females.
Clutch Size
Typically 100–200 eggs per nesting, depending on species.
Sexually Mature
20–50 years, depending on species — among the slowest-maturing reptiles.
Life Span
50–100+ years, depending on species.
Did You Know?
A turtle can't crawl out of its shell — it's permanently attached to its skeleton.
Did You Know?
Some tortoise species can live well over 100 years.
Did You Know?
The temperature of a sea turtle nest determines the sex of the hatchlings — warmer sand produces more females.
Types of Turtles
Green Sea Turtle
Chelonia mydas — mostly herbivorous as adults
Chelonia mydas — mostly herbivorous as adults
Leatherback Turtle
Dermochelys coriacea — largest turtle species
Dermochelys coriacea — largest turtle species
Loggerhead Turtle
Caretta caretta — named for its powerful jaw
Caretta caretta — named for its powerful jaw
Hawksbill Turtle
Eretmochelys imbricata — known for its patterned shell
Eretmochelys imbricata — known for its patterned shell
Galápagos Tortoise
Chelonoidis niger — among the longest-lived land animals
Chelonoidis niger — among the longest-lived land animals
Turtle in Foreign Languages
Frenchtortue
GermanSchildkröte
Italiantartaruga
Portuguesetartaruga
Spanishtortuga
Russiancherepakha
Polishżółw
Japanesekame
Mandarinwūguī
Koreangeobuk
Dutchschildpad
Swedishsköldpadda
Norwegianskilpadde
Finnishkilpikonna
