Chelonis mydas agassisi  (Cheloniidae)  

Distribution:  World wide but turtles from the Galápagos population have been found along the shores of South and Central America.

Habitat: Marine surface dwellers with adults commonly inhabiting shallow lagoons.

Appearance: Size up to 300 pounds (135kg) with adults growing to 1.5 metres (5 ft) long..  Colors are variable; green, brown and black.  Their common name derives from the usually green fat found beneath their carapace (upper shell).  It has a dorsoventrally flattened body covered by a large, teardrop-shaped carapace and a pair of large, paddle-like flippers. It is usually lightly colored, although parts of the carapace can be almost black in the eastern Pacific.

Diet: In the Galapágos mainly algae.  World wide sea grass and jellyfish.

Reproduction:  Like other sea turtles, they migrate long distances between feeding grounds and hatching beaches. Many islands worldwide are known as Turtle Island due to green sea turtles nesting on their beaches. Females crawl out on beaches, dig nests and lay eggs during the night. Later, hatchlings emerge and walk into the water. Those that reach maturity may live to age 80 in the wild.

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