Green Turtle

Adult, Photo: Jeanne Mortimer/WWF. Inset: dorsal view, Photo: Gordon Condong/WWF.

Description: A large marine turtle, with a maximum carapace length of about 120 cm. Adult carapace olive-brown, with yellow edges. Carapace of hatchlings bluish-black. Juveniles with tan-coloured centres on dorsal scutes. The name 'Green Turtle' comes from the colour of its fat, which has a greenish tinge. All four limbs modified for use as flippers as in all sea turtles; a single claw in each flipper.

Habits and habitat: Very little known about the habits and habitat of Hong Kong sea turtles, including the Green Turtle. Occurs in marine waters around Hong Kong except in the west. Has been reported to nest at Tai Tam Bay on Lamma Island.

Diet: Includes seaweed, shrimp, lobster and squid.

Reproduction: Lamma Island used to be a regular nesting site. The breeding season is July-August. A large number of eggs (about 120) is laid at one time, and they take several months to hatch. After hatching, the young, about 7 cm in length, make their way down to the water and swim out to sea. The last nesting of the Green Turtle on Lamma Island was in 1995. Due to the illegal collecting of its eggs and possibly the deterioration of the marine environment, the resident Hong Kong population is under serious threat.

Distribution: Occurs along the entire coast of China including Hong Kong, and all temperate and tropical seas of the world.

Diagnostic features: Carapace heart-shaped and low-domed; four costal shields between vertebral row of shields and the marginal row; large paddle-like flippers; single claw in each flipper.