Chelonia mydas agassizi

(Bocourt, 1868)

Vernacular names
English : Green sea turtle
French : Tortue verte

Classification
Class : Reptilia
Order : Testudines
Family : Cheloniidae
Notes : 1 other subspecies known. Subspecies validity is questionned.

Identification
Adults can reach a shell length up to 150 cm for a weight of 136 kg. Oval carapace, mostly olive to brown, with clear streaks and blotches. Plastron pale yellow to orange. Rounded snout. This subspecies is smaller and often darker.

Range and habitat
This subspecies occurs around the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The species is also found in the Atlantic Ocean. Lives in coastal waters with sea grass beds when non breeding.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : ENDANGERED
CITES : Appendix I
Status : The species has declined dramatically because of loss of nesting sites, poaching of eggs and juveniles and conflicts with human activities (fisheries).
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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