Home › Reptilia › Cheloniidae › Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
SPECIES PROFILE
Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Chelonia
IUCN STATUS
Endangered
CONSERVATION STATUS
Endangered
CLASS
Reptilia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Indonesian seas
DIET
Herbivorous
HABITAT
Coastal waters, coral reefs
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Reptilia
ORDER
Testudines
FAMILY
Cheloniidae
GENUS
Chelonia
📋 Description
SIZE
0.8-1.2 m, 100-200 kg
COLORATION
Olive-green carapace
ADAPTATIONS
Streamlined shell; long migrations
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Coastal waters, coral reefs
DIET
Herbivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Indonesian seas
REPRODUCTION
100-200 eggs; incubation 50-60 days
DIET DETAILS
Seagrass, algae
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Bycatch, coastal development
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Ocean Navigators: Green turtles migrate thousands of kilometers using Earth's magnetic field, returning to natal beaches like Bunaken to lay eggs. Their grazing on seagrass beds supports marine biodiversity, but plastic pollution threatens their survival.
2
Cultural Guardians: In Bali, turtles are sacred, featured in Hindu ceremonies, with communities protecting nesting sites to ensure hatchling survival. WWF's monitoring in Derawan Islands aids their <100,000 global population, vital for healthy coral reefs.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Bunaken National Park
Derawan Islands
Bali Barat National Park
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
June-September. Nesting season brings turtles ashore in coastal areas.
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Join guided night patrols to observe turtles nesting on beaches.
