The GREEN
SEA TURTLE
Major nesting sites
Minor nesting locations
3 main Habitats
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Beaches
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Open Ocean Convergance Zones
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Coastal Areas
Female turtles migrate to beaches for nesting seasons. The hatchlings emerge from their nests and swim offshore where they stay in shallow coastal waters until they are juveniles. When ready, they roam the big ocean and travel to new locations. They return to the costal areas for "benthic" feeding.
3 main Ranges
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Tropical and subtropical waters
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U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico
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Eastern North and Central Pacific
The green sea turtles have a global distribution. They range from continental coasts and islands between 30° North and 30° South of the equator. They are also found in inshore and nearshore waters of Texas, Massachusetts, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Indian River Lagoon, the Florida Keys, Florida Bay, Homosassa, Crystal River, Cedar Key, and St. Joseph Bay. They're seen in Baja California, Southern Alaska, San Diego, and the Hawaiian Islands as well.
Population Size
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22,500 females nest in Costa Rica
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18,000 females nest in Australia
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200 - 1,000 females nest along Central and Southeast coast of Florida