Why in News
Rising global temperatures could lead to an increase in the nesting range of green turtles in the Mediterranean Sea.
As per a study in Scientific Reports.
Under the worst-case climate scenario, the nesting range could increase by over 60% points, spreading west from the current area to include much of the North African, Italian, and Greek coastlines.
Green turtles
Green turtles are magnificent creatures with a long evolutionary history.
Here are some key facts about them:
Classification and Distribution:
Scientific name: Chelonia mydas
Common name: Green turtle, black (sea) turtle, Pacific green turtle
Family: Cheloniidae
Distribution: Found worldwide primarily in subtropical and temperate regions of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, and in the Mediterranean Sea.
Habitat: Coastal areas and open ocean waters.
Physical Characteristics:
Size: Adults can reach up to 5 feet (1.52 meters) in length and weigh between 240 and 420 pounds (110 - 190 kg).
Color: Green turtles have a brown or olive-colored shell with a yellow underside. Their name comes from the green color of the fat underneath their shell.
Diet: Herbivores, primarily feeding on seagrasses, algae, and other marine plants.
Behavior and Life Cycle:
Migration: Green turtles are long-distance migrators, traveling thousands of miles between feeding grounds and nesting beaches.
Nesting: Females lay their eggs on sandy beaches at night. They return to the same beach to lay eggs every 2-4 years.
Hatchlings: Hatchlings are born with flippers and instinctively swim towards the ocean.
Lifespan: Green turtles can live for over 80 years.
Threats and Conservation:
Endangered Species: Green turtles are classified as endangered by the IUCN Red List. They face threats from habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and overexploitation.
Conservation Efforts: Many organizations are working to protect green turtles, including through habitat protection, captive breeding programs, and public education campaigns.
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