Green Turtle

Chelonia mydas

Description:

Green Turtles are known not for the green shells but rather the greenish colour of the turtle's fat, which is only found in a layer between their inner organs and their shell. This pair of Green Turtles were rather large, with shell of around 1 meter in size. In the photos, the pair are seen mating, with the male 'riding' on the female. He uses a 'hook' on his front flippers for better grip of the female. During this time, the male does not swim, but its the female that is carrying the male.

Habitat:

Tropical waters, this was seen at Mabul Island, Malaysia.

Notes:

Saw this pair of Green Turtles from the boat, on the way to our dive. It was out in the open ocean. I then decided to get into the water to get closer look and pictures of them. Being 'shy' the Turtles then dive into the deep to get away from me. I was able to get a few pictures of them before giving them their privacy :D Turtles mating can last for hours with the male 'riding' on the female. Sometimes, other males can be seen 'riding' on the first male in an attempt to dislodge the first male from the female.

Species ID Suggestions

19 Comments

AlbertKang 6 years ago

Thanks, @SarahWhitt :)

SarahWhitt 6 years ago

AWESOME SPOTTING!!! Congrats on your SOTD!!

AlbertKang 6 years ago

Thanks, @Antonio, @Zlatan and @Sergio for your kind words and support :)

Sergio Monteiro 6 years ago

Congratulations Albert.

Zlatan Celebic 6 years ago

Brilliant spotting and shots! Congrats on well deserved SOTD.

AntónioGinjaGinja 6 years ago

Awesome spotting Albet,congrats on the well deserved SOTD and thanks for sharing

AlbertKang 6 years ago

Thanks, @Leana, @Brian38 and @DrNamgyal :)

Leana Lahom-Cristobal 6 years ago

Congrats Albert!

Brian38 6 years ago

Great spotting Albert and congrats on SOTD!

AlbertKang 6 years ago

Thanks, @Daniele for another SOTD :)

Thanks too, @SargonR for your kind words :)

SargonR 6 years ago

Fascinating! For some reason I always assumed that sea turtles would mate on land.

DanielePralong 6 years ago

Congratulations Albert, your beautiful mating green turtles are our Spotting of the Day:

"Today we're sharing beautiful images of mating green turtles (Chelonia mydas) as our Spotting of the Day. The male is riding the female, hooked onto the edge of her shell using long claws on his front flippers. The male can hang onto the female for several hours; doing so prevents other males from mating with her".

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