Turtle Lagoon

Green Sea Turtle

Chelonia mydas

Green sea turtles are the largest of all hard-shelled sea turtle species, with a comparatively small head. They are dark brown, grey, or olive colored shells (carapace) with a lighter, yellow to white underside. The carapace has five scutes (scales) running down the middle, with four scutes on each side. They have a serrated beak on the lower jaw and two large scutes between the eyes.

Green sea turtles can be found worldwide, primarily in the subtropical and temperate regions of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, as well as in the Mediterranean Sea.

They are the only herbivorous species of sea turtle. Their diet mainly consists of algae and seagrasses, and they may feed on sponges, invertebrates, and discarded fish.

All sea turtle species are threatened or endangered. Green sea turtles are endangered. Their primary threats include bycatch, loss of nesting habitat, vessel strikes, egg harvests, pollution, and marine debris. Rising ocean levels erode beaches or wash away nests, and artificial lighting around beaches causes disorientation in hatchlings.

Emerald: Atlantic Green Sea Turtle

In 2022, Emerald was rescued off the coast of the Florida Keys. She was found floating on the surface, covered in algae, indicating that she had been in that state for some time.

The Turtle Hospital rescues, rehabilitates, and, if possible, releases sea turtles in Marathon, Florida. They rescued Emerald and hoped she would be fit to be released back into the warm waters of Florida.

Once Emerald was assessed, it was determined that her injuries were consistent with a boat strike and had caused a significant buoyancy imbalance.

This imbalance would not allow her to swim or submerge freely, which ultimately led to her being deemed non-releasable.

In October of 2022, Emerald made her way to the Living Coast, via FedEx, where we would take her in as a permanent resident of Turtle Lagoon.

With specialized care from our Animal Care team, Emerald is thriving and has made a name for herself as our unofficial greeter when guests come off the shuttle!

Emerald loves eating lettuce and shell scrubs!

Sea Turtle Presentation
Wednesday through Sunday at 2:30 PM

Learn about green sea turtles! A Living Coast educator will tell you all about sea turtles, like their diet, shell, fun facts, and more!

Private Animal Encounters:
Available Wednesday through Sunday at 12:00 PM & 2:00 PM

Enhance your visit to the Living Coast with a sea turtle meet & greet! Go behind the scenes and interact with Emerald up close! Book an experience you will never forget.