Species Spotlight: Galápagos Green Turtle

Galapagos green turtle swimming in the ocean

Questions and Answers

Where is there a large green turtle nesting colony?
The Galapagos Islands provide nesting beaches for the second most important green turtle nesting colony in the region. Every year, from December to May, nesting females migrate from countries like Costa Rica, El Salvador, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile.

What do Galapagos green turtles eat?
Adults are primarily vegetarians while juveniles will eat almost anything.

How does climate change affect sea turtles?
Because the incubation temperature of turtle eggs determines the animal’s sex, a warmer nest results in more females.

HABITAT

Green turtles are found mainly in tropical and subtropical waters.
DIET

The green turtle is the only herbivore among the different sea turtle species.
THREATS

Classified as endangered, green turtles are threatened by overharvesting of their eggs, hunting of adults, being caught in fishing gear and loss of nesting beach sites.
INTERESTING FACT

Green turtles are in fact named for the greenish color of their cartilage and fat, not their shells.