This species is often the stereotypical image one pictures when imagining a sea turtle. This species might not look like it, but it is typically a strict vegetarian as an adult. Their menu options consist of a massive quantity of seagrass and seaweed. This herbaceous diet results in their fat tissue changing to a greenish color, thus the name. A low energy diet makes them appear slow and lethargic.
Do not let this fool you as they still migrate long distances to breeding grounds. When nesting, they tend to take their merry time and can be onshore for hours on end. While this does ensure a well-hidden nest in a good location, it is a risky proposition. Natural predators or poachers have more time to find and capture the turtle.
Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata):
Hawksbills are a small turtle with an ornate shell and a feisty attitude. While green turtles take their time, nesting hawksbills are always in a rush. They have a peculiar habit of traveling far out of the ocean to nest in coastal dunes, vegetation, and other unexpected places. At some point in the past, this species determined that it no longer wanted to compete for food and switched most of its diet to highly toxic sea sponges.
They use their prominent raptor-like beak to open the sponge and obtain the morsels within. Being a picky eater, they tend to dwell around vibrant tropical coral reefs with plenty of food. The colorful nature of the reefs complements the beautiful hawksbill shell that glistens under sunlight. Sadly, the value of this shell has caused this species to reach Critically Endangered status. Hawksbills are still hunted illegally for their shells which are used in ornamentals and jewelry.
Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea):
While all sea turtles are decently sized, leatherbacks are truly giants that can reach over seven feet in length and weigh over 2,000 pounds. I have heard many say that when encountering a male leatherback in the open ocean, they first thought it was a floating car. Unlike other sea turtles, this species does not have a hard shell and is instead covered entirely in leathery skin.
This species is often in motion migrating large distances on a yearly basis. In fact, individuals have been tracked migrating from the northern coast of South America to Nova Scotia every year. Leatherbacks are constantly foraging due to the low sustenance provided by their meal of choice, jellyfish. These turtles are not afraid of the open ocean and can dive to a remarkable 4,000 feet in depth to search for food.
Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta):
The loggerhead sea turtle is a common species within the U.S where they nest on beaches throughout the southeast. They have broad heads with powerful jaws which they put to good use. These characteristics allow them to easily break open hard-shelled invertebrates and consume the contents within. Some of their favorite delicacies include clams, mussels, whelks, conches, horseshoe crabs, and jellyfish.
Loggerheads are unique in that they are often a floating ecosystem hosting many species upon their shell. Over 100 species including barnacles, algae, crabs, snails, and bioluminescent phytoplankton can dwell on a loggerhead.
Olive (Lepidochelys olivacea) and Kemp’s Ridleys (Lepidochelys kempii):
These are two closely related sea turtles that are known for nesting in an extraordinary mass-nesting event called an arribada. During such an event, turtles synchronize their nesting time and come ashore to nest in great numbers. It is not unusual for tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of turtles to come ashore during a single day.
Some turtles will even dig up other turtles’ nests while excavating their own nest due to the lack of nesting space. The sheer number of turtles truly overwhelms predators. Below is a short video of an arribada in Ostional, Costa Rica.
