Hawai'ian Green Sea Turtle

Description:

The green sea turtle is the largest hard-shelled sea turtle. Adults of this species commonly reach 100 cm in carapace length and 150 kg in mass. The average size of a female nesting at the French Frigate Shoals was reported in 1980 to be 92 cm straight carapace length, with an average body mass of 115 kg. This is somewhat smaller than her Atlantic cousin. Hatchling green turtles weigh about 25 g (about a handful of Smarties) and have a carapace about 50 mm long. Hatchlings are black on top and white underneath. The plastron of the Hawaiian green turtle becomes orange or yellowish orange, and the carapace remains predominantly black with various shades of olive and yellowish gold forming swirls and irregular patterns on their shells. A small number of adult females (perhaps 3%) possess predominantly brown carapaces, with patterns of yellow, gold, and reddish brown.

Habitat:

Green sea turtles move across three habitat types, depending on their life stage. They lay eggs on beaches. Mature turtles spend most of their time in shallow, coastal waters with lush seagrass beds. Adults frequent inshore bays, lagoons and shoals with lush seagrass meadows. Entire generations often migrate between one pair of feeding and nesting areas.

Notes:

We came across this Hawai'ian Green Sea Turtle off the coast of Maui near Wailea. It's on it's way to the surface to get a breath of fresh air. Sadly, these turtles are endangered.