Sea Turtles

Taxonomic classification

• KINGDOM - Animalia
• PHYLUM - Chordata
• CLASS - Reptilia
• ORDER - Testudine

Taxonomic classification

• FAMILY - Cheloniidae or Dermochelyidae
• GENUS - Chelonia
• SPECIES – mydas

Information

• Common name: Sea Turtles (Green turtle)
• Scientific name: Chelonia mydas

Geographical location:
Found in the Atlantic Ocean from the eastern United States along the coast of South America to South Africa. They are found throughout the Caribbean Sea and a portion of the Mediterranean. They are also found throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

More information

• Status on the Red List: Endangered
• Population numbers: Between 85,000 and 90,000 (nesting females)
• Role in the ecosystem: Green turtles eat sea grass 
• After they clear the sea grass it gives a window for new grass to grow
• This attracts new organisms and gives them a place to live

value for humans

• Without these green sea turtles the sea grass would not be eaten
• This would lead to loss in marine diversity in the area
• There would be a loss of attraction from other organisms
• This could effects us because some of the fish that are attracted
• By the sea grass would not be available for us to fish

Threats

• Risk of predators (natural threat)
• Over fished
• Caught for consumption
• Hunted to create jewelry and other items
• Climate change and water pollution 

Laws ANd Procedures

• The Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles (IAC) 
• The Endangered Species Act (ESA)
• Procedures - Removal of predators, relocation of nests
• And closing of beaches

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