The Global Green Sea Turtle

The green sea turtle is a truly global animal. Adults migrate all the way around the world between nesting seasons. A turtle that nests on an island in the Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia may swim all the way to feeding grounds off the South American coast. These amazing feats of endurance do cause problems for the green turtle in today's world.

Their nesting sites are scattered all around the tropical and subtropical regions of the world.

Difficulties They Face

As they have to cross such vast distances, the turtles pass through the territorial waters of many states and not all of these are protective of the species. Green turtles are hunted for meat, shell, oil and skin and many hundreds of thousands are slaughtered across the world each year. They also get caught in drift nets, shrimp nets and many other sorts of nets as they cross the oceans.

In many places the eggs are also harvested by local people, sometimes to the point of complete loss of nests.

HUman activities on land also affect the turtles by either scaring them away from their nesting beaches or by confusing hatchlings with artificial light when they are trying to head to the water.

Significant Rookeries

On Raine Island off the north eastern tip of Australia, green turtles are still plentiful. Up to 14,000 females will attempt to nest in a single night during the nesting season. By the end of the nesting season the surface level of the beach in some areas is raised by over 30 centimetres, as a result of all the egg nests laid there. By the end of the season the beach is so densely populated with nests that it is also not uncommon to see female turtles destroying other clutches of eggs while attempting to dig an egg chamber.

This island is, thankfully, completely protected under Australian law and acess is completely prohibited save for research scientists. The coast guard and the Queensland National Parks service are very thorough in making sure the island stays in its untouched state.

Ascension Island is another important green sea turtle rookery. It is located in the South Pacific, between Africa and South America. This British controlled territory has a conservation program running on the island.

Species Summary:

Adult size: shell length between 1 and 1.5 metres
Adult weight: 200 - 350 kilograms
Clutch size: over 100 eggs the size of table tennis balls
Clutches in a season: between 3 and 5
Years to maturity: 25 - 40 years
Diet: seagrass, but hatchlings and juveniles may eat some invertebrates
Scientific name: Chelonia mydas - the golden turtle.