Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)

IUCN status: Critically Endangered

Green sea turtle - named for the green colour of the fat under its shell, are actually black-brown or greenish yellow in colour. They grow up to 1.5 meters long and weigh about 200 kg. The most distinctive characteristic of the Green turtle is the two large oblong pre-ocular scales between their eyes.

They are generally found in shallow tropical and sub tropical waters. A dome-shaped carapace distinguishes the Green turtle from the rest.

Green turtles are omnivorous as juvenile but are herbivorous as adults, feeding on sea grass, seaweed and algae. They are highly migratory, covering huge distances between feeding and nesting grounds. They normally swim along the coastline rarely going into open waters.

A female Green turtle normal comes to the coast between June and September to nest. A normal clutch contains approximately 100 or more eggs. They lay eggs between 3 to 5 times per season, but with an interval of 2 or more years. An outstanding feature of green turtle is the accuracy with which they return to their natal beach for nesting.

Green turtle nesting is reported near Malvan in Maharashtra and in Gulf of Kutch (beach near Jamnagar) and near Junagardh in Gujarat coast. Some select islands in Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar provide for nesting of these turtles. Sporadic nesting has been recorded along the coastline.

WWF-India proposes to facilitate conservation of nesting sites of Green turtle in the Kutch region in Gujarat and select site in Maharashtra, through dissemination of information and awareness campaign.