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Project Noah Nature School
Chelonia mydas
Their common name derives from the fat beneath their carapace, which is usually green. Their carapace has changing color patterns over time. On average, adults weigh 68–190 kg (150–420 lb) with an average carapace length of 78–112 cm (31–44 in). The largest known green turtle weighed 395 kg (870 lb) with a carapace of 153 cm (60 in). They migrate long distances between feeding grounds and hatching beaches.
There are distinct populations in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and they are listed as an endangered species by the IUCN.
These individuals were being rehabilitated at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. Little Ray is a 3-year-old green turtle who came to the hospital in April 2012 as a cold-stunned animal (first 4 photos); she is blind in the right eye. She had barnacles all over her back and a carapace fracture; they cleaned her and slowly warmed her up. When young, green turtles are omnivores and eat fish and squid in addition to greens and lettuce. Ranger (last 2 photos) is a green turtle who came to the hospital in August 2010. She lost hers left front flipper to a shark attack; she also had healed boat strike marks on her carapace. Her right front flipper is also damaged and she cannot be released. The hospital director hopes to send her to a good accredited facility where she can serve as an educational animal.
Spotted on Sep 6, 2012
Submitted on Sep 9, 2012
7 Comments
Thanks, nexttogone. Namitha, the ghost crabs do eat the hatchlings, which is why the volunteers chase them off; they want to give the babies every chance to make it to the ocean.
Hi Maria dB,its nice to know that they are given maximum protection. Do ghost crabs prey on these hatchlings.
Love this series.
On Topsail Island, the turtle nests are protected. When a nest is spotted, its location is marked and volunteers spend the night by each nest to keep away people with flashlights and to chase off ghost crabs when the hatchlings emerge. This year there are 80 nests on the island from Loggerheads, green turtles and Kemps Ridley turtles. Even the motels on the beaches forbid lamps on the balconies so that the baby turtles don't get confused and head for those lights instead of the light reflecting off the water.
Hi Maria dB thank you so much for the info. Are these turtle eggs still being collected by humans. Or is there some law against it. I have seen pictures of people collecting Ridley turtle eggs and destroying it just for fun.
The hospital had 17 turtles in care when I visited (Green, Loggerhead and Kemps Ridley turtles); they have had as many as 52. This year they are protecting 80 nests on the island.
Wow two beautiful endangered turtles. Happy to know that they are given good care.