The green turtle (Chelonia mydas) is one of the largest species of sea turtles. It is named not for its external shell colour but for the greenish hue of its body fat due to its herbivorous diet, primarily of seagrass and algae. These turtles are found in tropical and subtropical seas around the world and are distinguished by their smooth, olive, or dark brown shells, which often feature radiating patterns.

As adults, green turtles are primarily herbivorous, feeding on seagrasses and algae, which give their fat a distinctive green colour. However, juvenile green turtles have a more varied diet, sometimes including small invertebrates.

Green turtles can live up to 80 years or more in the wild.

Females return to the beach where they were born to lay eggs, a process known as natal homing. They typically nest every 2 to 5 years, laying about 100 eggs per nest.

These turtles play a crucial ecological role in maintaining healthy seagrass beds and marine ecosystems, making their conservation important for ocean biodiversity.