There are many different types of turtles, but green turtles are one of the most endangered species. My own experience with Green Turtles was snorkeling with two of them recently on one of the Hawaiian islands, Oahu. It was really unique to swim with these gentle giants. Another name for green turtles is “Chelonia Mydas.” Green turtles are green because of the color of the fat under their shells. Green turtles are herbivores and eat nine types of allege and seagrass. Young turtles have been known to eat sponges, seaweed, and jellyfish. Green turtles return to the beaches where they were born to deposit 100-110 eggs in a clutch at a time and do not breed every year. There are only about 800 green turtles living today.
In the nineteenth and early twentieth century, green turtles were used as a source of food, tools, and ornaments by early Hawaiians. Green turtles are also endangered because of poa
ching, artificial lighting, beach nourishment (disturbing nests), pollution, drowning in fishermen’s nets, and predators of both the turtles and their eggs. But the number one killer of green turtles is fibropapilloma tumors. Fibropapilloma tumors grow on a turtle until it is debilitated. Baby turtles find their way to the ocean by the light reflected off of it. Artificial lighting from street lamps, buildings, and beachfront properties has a disorienting effect on baby turtles. Some turtles abort nesting in lighted areas and with fewer and fewer beaches undisturbed, they have less places to lay their eggs.
In the nineteenth and early twentieth century, green turtles were used as a source of food, tools, and ornaments by early Hawaiians. Green turtles are also endangered because of poa
ching, artificial lighting, beach nourishment (disturbing nests), pollution, drowning in fishermen’s nets, and predators of both the turtles and their eggs. But the number one killer of green turtles is fibropapilloma tumors. Fibropapilloma tumors grow on a turtle until it is debilitated. Baby turtles find their way to the ocean by the light reflected off of it. Artificial lighting from street lamps, buildings, and beachfront properties has a disorienting effect on baby turtles. Some turtles abort nesting in lighted areas and with fewer and fewer beaches undisturbed, they have less places to lay their eggs.Want to know how to help the Green Turtles or find out more about them? Look at these links:
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