What Makes the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle Unique?
The Hawaiian green sea turtle stands out in the crowd, and not just because it’s the largest hard shell turtle globally. Weighing over 300 pounds and reaching lengths up to four feet, they sport a beautifully colored upper shell, or carapace, that shades from brown and yellow to black. Their under shell, or plastron, is a lighter yellowish hue.
Unlike their cousins, Hawaiian green sea turtles boast an unhooked beak, paddle-like flippers, and a short snout. And guess what?
They’re the only ones who stick to a greens-only diet – yep, they’re the vegetarians of the sea turtle world! While this plant-based diet, which primarily consists of algae and seagrass, turns their body fat green and leads to slower growth, it does contribute to a healthier ecosystem by promoting the growth of marine plants.
A Journey Through Time with the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle
Can you imagine a creature that has seen the world evolve for over 150 million years? Well, that’s the Hawaiian green sea turtle for you! Blessed with an average lifespan of 80 years, these creatures have seen it all.
Relying on wave directions, sunlight, and temperature for navigation, they’re known for their leisurely swimming pace of one to two miles per hour. Still, they can up their game to 20 miles per hour if need be!
Though they’re masters at underwater sightseeing, they do suffer from a touch of nearsightedness above water.
With lungs nearly two-thirds the length of their upper shell, they can stay submerged for hours, the longest recorded duration being an astonishing five hours!
