TURTLES

BY EVE MAY VAUGHAN

TYPES OF TURTLES

• There are 7 distinct sea turtle species that have been identified in the world.

• Green Sea TurtleThe Green Sea Turtle is a fairly large species with a length of about five and a half feet and weighing up to 400 pounds.

• Leatherback Sea TurtleThe Leatherback Turtle is the largest of all species that live in the water.

• Loggerhead Sea TurtleThe Loggerhead Sea Turtle has a head that is much bigger than any others out there. The overall body is shaped very similar to a heart.

• Hawksbill Sea TurtleYou will first notice that the Hawkbill Sea Turtle features a heart shaped shell on its body.

• Kemps Ridley Sea TurtleThe Kemps Ridley Sea Turtle is one of the smallest out there in the world. They weigh only about 100 pounds and they are from 2 and a half feet long to 3 feet long.

• Olive Ridley Sea TurtleFeaturing a grey and green colouring as well as a heart shaped shell, the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle is one many people are familiar with.

• Flatback Sea Turtle  As the name implies, the Flatback Sea Turtle has a shell that is very flat on the top.

Green sea turtles make their home in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide.

GREEN SEA TURTLES –WHERE THEY LIVE

GREEN SEA TURTLES - BABY

When born, green sea turtles are only 5 cm long. But they grow up to 1.5 meters in length and can weigh over 300 kg, making them the largest of the hardshell sea turtles.

Reaching speeds of up to 56 km per hour, their streamlined shell and paddle-like flippers aid in their ability to swim quickly and with grace.

On my holiday I swam with them, they are beautiful.

GREEN SEA TURTLES -SWIMMING

Green sea turtles are listed as endangered, and their numbers are decreasing.

Green turtles are sometimes hunted, and are also threatened by destruction of nesting areas and foraging areas in the sea. Sometimes green turtles are accidentally caught in fishing nets, further declining their population.

Many countries are trying to protect the nesting and foraging grounds. They are protected under laws.

GREEN SEA TURTLES –ENDANGERED SPECIES