Green Sea Turtle

Chelonia mydas — Cheloniidae

31–47 inches

IUCN

Endangered

Federal (US)

Threatened

Virginia

Threatened

VWAP Tier

Tier IIa

Habitat

marine

Found in Virginia

Coastal plain

How to identify

Large, 31–47 inches
Smooth, oval carapace, olive to brown with lighter patterning
Single pair of prefrontal scales between the eyes — key ID feature
Small head relative to body
Marine habitat

About this species

The green sea turtle is an occasional visitor to Virginia's coastal waters, primarily in summer and early fall. They are named not for their shell color but for the greenish color of their fat, which comes from a primarily herbivorous diet. Younger animals are more carnivorous and more likely to be found in Virginia waters.

Often confused with

Loggerhead Sea Turtle

Loggerheads have two pairs of prefrontal scales and a much larger, heavier head; green turtles have one pair and a smaller, more rounded head

Did you know

"Green sea turtles are one of the few reptiles known to return to the exact beach where they hatched to nest — sometimes after journeys of over 1,000 miles."

SERC rehabilitation notes Federally threatened. Any stranded green sea turtle requires contact with VAST at 757-385-7575.

Sightings & citizen science

Help document Virginia wildlife by logging your sightings on iNaturalist. Every observation builds the conservation data that researchers and rehabbers depend on.

View Green Sea Turtle observations on iNaturalist ↗

Found one injured?

If you've found an injured or displaced Green Sea Turtle in Virginia, our triage guide walks you through what to do.

Triage guide →