Tartarughe marine - Meeresschildkröten - Marine turtles

The diagrams were arranged by Umberto Mazzantini

Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)

The green turtle (Chelonia mydas) is among the largest marine turtles and is also the most widespread. It grows to lengths of about 3 to 4 feet and weights of up to 200 kg. Its front limbs are flipper-like and are used to propel itself through the water. Their flesh is a light color with a hint of green and they have small heads relative to the size of their body. Unlike many other species of turtles, green turtles are unable to retract their head into their shell.

Male green turtles spend virtually their entire lives at sea. They are born on land and are only rarely sighted on beaches. Green turtles migrate hundreds of miles to breeding grounds to mate. Female green turtles travel to the same beaches to nest as their predecessors.

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