About Green Sea Turtles

Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) are among the most majestic animals in the ocean. And while you might never ask yourself what do turtles eat in regards to a pet green sea turtle, these sea creatures are nevertheless deserving of the reputation as a peaceful creature.

Green sea turtles are some of the largest species of turtles in the world. They may end up being approximately 5 feet long and weigh up to 500 pounds!

Like most turtles, they can live a long and healthy life ranging from 40-50 years and possibly around 100 years.

They're well suited to marine life with big flippers and lungs capable of holding their breath for five hours underwater.

Unfortunately their popularity is somewhat a problem for the sea turtle species as a whole.

These turtles are in the Endangered Species List as a result of over fishing, accidental death in fishing gear, habitat loss, water pollution, and excessive collection of turtles as well as their eggs for human consumption.

It is a major issue because it's estimated that only one or two out of every 100 green sea turtle hatchlings will survive the first year.

Where Can Green Sea Turtles Be Located?

These turtles enjoy warm, shallow, tropical water in which there is plenty of sea grass to eat.

They are found throughout the world in seas except near to the poles where water is colder.

So What Can Green Sea Turtles Eat?

Greens sea turtles have a beak with finely serrated edges, like that of a saw. This enables it to tear sea grasses easily and clean algae off hard surfaces and coral.

In The Wild:

As younger sea turtles, they have a tendency for being mainly carnivorous-going for a diet of:

Fish, Jelly Fish, Crustaceans, Shrimp, Fish Eggs, with a bit of Algae mixed in.

As adults though, they are completely herbivores feeding on:

Sea Grass, Mangrove Leaves, Seaweed, Algae

In Captivity:

Although you'll never have to ask yourself what do turtles eat at home regarding green sea turtles, you may see them at some zoos. In a zoological environment sea turtles can be maintained on a carnivorous diet. Totally different from what you would see in the wild.

Fun Fact: Marine herbivores such as green sea turtle are crucial for sustaining healthy coral reefs. Because algae out-competes coral, without sea turtles coral reefs will be overgrown and die from this algae.

What Difficulties Face Green Sea Turtles?

Unfortunately these stunning sea creatures end up being more popular than is good for them. As an endangered species there are several threats for them both on land as well as in the ocean.

Threats to green sea turtles within the ocean include getting trapped in fishing gear and nets, pollution, and accidents with boats.

Unfortunately they are hunted because of their flesh, eggs, and shells

On land, human development is definitely the main threat to green sea turtles. Coastal construction, disorientation of hatchlings by beachfront lighting, and beach cleaning pose significant threats to nesting females and their hatchlings.

In the United States, major beach habitat safeguards and nest-protection efforts are underway for the majority of the major sea turtle nesting areas.

There has also been significant progress made in reducing mortality from commercial fisheries in U.S. waters using the enforcement of turtle excluder device regulations.

We are still a considerable ways to go to make green sea turtles safe for generations to come but we're on the right course.

The good news is you should have a better understanding of the best way to answer the next occasion someone asks you, what do green sea turtles eat?

Now that you have a better idea of what green sea turtles eat, be sure to check out other types of turtles such as red eared sliders to find out what they eat