Green sea turtle
Chelonia mydas
Family Cheloniidae - turtle, sea
Distinguishing Characteristics |
Shell oval-shaped with somewhat pointed rear; upper shell (carapace) color olive brown to black, lower shell (plastron) yellow to white; legs flipper-like; upper shell with 5-6 vertebral scutes (plates) and 4 pair of lateral scutes; larger turtles with no keel down the center of carapace; scutes do not overlap; sunburst pattern on scutes; 4 inframarginal scutes (between front and rear legs on lower shell, connect plastron and carapace) without pores; head small, not beak-like; lower jaw serrated; 1 pair of prefrontal scales (between the eyes) on head; 1 claw on each flipper. |
Similar Species |
Only 2 sea turtles in the Gulf of Mexico have 4 lateral scutes, the green and the hawksbill sea turtles. The others have 5 or more or none. The hawksbill sea turtle has overlapping scutes, 2 prefrontal scales and a distinct overbite. The green sea turtle is the only sea turtle in the Gulf with 1 pair of prefrontal scales and without a beaked mouth. |
Habitat |
Gulf and bay |
Maximum Size |
1.2 cm (4 ft) |
Other Common Names |
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Previous Scientific Names |
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Comments |
Its name is derived from the color of its fat. |