Green Sea Turtle Facts
for Kids

Green sea turtles face multiple threats: accidental capture in fishing nets (bycatch) is the largest single cause of death. Additionally, coastal development destroys nesting beaches, plastic pollution causes intestinal blockages and starvation (turtles mistake plastic bags for jellyfish), poaching of eggs continues in many countries, and rising sand temperatures from climate change are producing dangerously skewed sex ratios.

Sea turtles use Earth's magnetic field as a navigation system — they can detect both the intensity and inclination angle of the field, giving them a biological 'map and compass.' They imprint on the unique magnetic signature of their home beach as hatchlings and use it to navigate back across thousands of kilometres of open ocean 20–30 years later to lay their own eggs.

Green sea turtles are estimated to live 60–80 years, though some individuals may exceed 100 years. They grow slowly, reaching maturity at 25–35 years of age. Because they spend decades at sea before returning to breed, long-term population studies are extremely difficult — much about their lifespan remains uncertain.

Adult green sea turtles typically weigh 110–190 kg (240–420 lb) with a shell length of 90–120 cm (3–4 ft). The largest recorded green sea turtle weighed 395 kg (871 lb). They are the second-largest sea turtle species after the leatherback, which can exceed 900 kg.

Kids can help by reducing single-use plastic (especially bags, straws, and balloons that end up in oceans), participating in beach cleanups, turning off beachside lights during nesting season (artificial light disorients hatchlings), supporting turtle-safe seafood choices, and spreading awareness about the importance of keeping beaches clean and dark during nesting months (May–October in most regions).