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Identification: Adult Atlantic green sea turtles have an oval-shaped, smooth
carapace (top shell) without keels (ridged scales). There are 4 pairs of lateral scutes
(plates) on the carapace and 4 inframarginal scutes (large scutes that connect the top and
bottom shells) without pores on the plastron (bottom shell). The shell color varies widely
from light to dark brown, olive green or bluish black, with brown mottling. The front and
back flippers have one claw. There is no marked size difference between the males and
females, but the males have a long, thick tail. Range: The green turtle occurs along the North American coast from Massachusetts
to Mexico and from British Columbia to California. Major nesting grounds are in Mexico,
Costa Rica, Guyana, Suriname and Ares Island off Dominica, in the West Indies. In the
United States, small nesting populations occur on the eastern coast of Florida. Reproduction: After migrating together to the nesting area, male and female
green turtles mate offshore. The females dig their nests at night on steeply sloped
beaches. As many as 7 clutches can be laid in a season. The clutch size ranges from 75 to
200 eggs, and incubation takes 48 to 70 days, depending on beach and water conditions.
Adults reach sexual maturity in 4 to 6 years in tropical waters and 5 to 13 years in
temperate waters. Females may nest at 2, 3 or 4-year intervals. Reason for Decline: While nesting, green turtles have been overexploited for
turtle products and food (their cartilage was processed to make turtle soup). As a result,
many nesting populations have been extirpated. In areas where populations have declined,
excessive predation on eggs and hatchlings has further reduced their numbers. Shoreline
development and beach use have limited the amount of undisturbed nesting beaches available
for these turtles. Boat propellers, which often inflict serious wounds on sea turtles, have been
responsible for many turtle deaths. Commercial fishing and shrimping activities often
cause turtles to drown or become mutilated or entangled in nets. Fortunately, federal
regulations now require all shrimp trawlers in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean
to use turtle excluder devices (TEDs) year-round. Discarded plastic bags and wrappers, helium balloons and monofilament fishing line that
end up in the ocean can also be deadly to sea turtles, as well as to other marine life.
Balloons and plastic bags, when floating in water, resemble jellyfish, which are
occasionally eaten by the Atlantic green turtle. When turtles mistakenly eat these items
or fishing line, their digestive system becomes blocked and they eventually die. History in Connecticut: An Atlantic green turtle has never been found on the
Connecticut shoreline to date. However, the species may occasionally migrate through
Connecticut waters during the warmer months. Interesting Facts: It has been estimated that green turtles migrate with precise
navigation up to 1,400 miles between nesting beaches and feeding areas. They seem to make
use of a sun/compass orientation similar to that of bees. The herbivorous green turtle mainly feeds on turtlegrass that grows in the shallow
waters of the tropics. Protective Legislation: Federal - Endangered Species Act of 1973, CITES
(Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) Appendix I. State -
Connecticut General Statutes Sec. 26-311. What You Can Do: You can help sea turtles by not purchasing illegal turtle
products, such as turtle leather and tortoise-shell items, and by properly disposing of or
recycling plastic bags, fishing line and balloons. In an effort to help curb the problem
of balloons in Long Island Sound, Connecticut has passed legislation limiting helium
balloon releases to no more than 9 in a 24-hour period. With the help of a little wind,
even balloons released in Connecticut's inland areas can end up in the Sound. Many sea turtles are tagged for research with metal or plastic markers. Tags are
usually on the inside edge of the front flippers; sometimes the rear flippers or the shell
may be tagged. If you observe a tagged turtle, do not remove any tags unless the
turtle is dead. Tag numbers should be reported to the address on the tag or to the
Wildlife Division's Nonharvested Wildlife Program, 391 Route 32, North Franklin, CT 06254,
(203)642-7239. {Tax Checkoff Logo} |
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