A sea turtle with a small head and hard shell. Adults feed mainly on seagrasses and algae.
Females usually return to nest in the general area where they hatched. On undeveloped beaches, hatchlings emerging from the sand crawl toward the bright horizon over the sea.
Female green turtles leave the sea to lay eggs in sand, often near their natal beach. Hatchlings emerge and move toward the sea. On beaches without artificial lighting, the brighter horizon over the water provides a cue, connecting an ocean-going life to a beach and its night-time light.
Young turtles spend years offshore before moving to shallow coastal feeding grounds. Adults eat much seagrass and algae, with variation by area and life stage. As reptiles they must return to the surface to breathe. Mature females make long journeys between feeding areas and nesting beaches, linking several habitats through their lives.
Raine Island in the northern Great Barrier Reef is a major Green Turtle nesting site. Tidal flooding can kill eggs, while females can become trapped or overturned around rocky ledges.
Queensland reports 40,000 cubic metres of sand moved in works in 2014, 2017 and 2019 to improve nesting habitat. Fencing helps keep females away from dangerous ledges.
Park staff, Traditional Owner rangers and researchers rescue stranded females and monitor nesting and hatching. Managing the island’s physical habitat complements conservation at sea.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.
Fishing-gear interactions, loss of nesting and feeding habitat and marine debris threaten green turtles. Conservation includes protecting nesting areas and reducing bycatch.
Raine Island work includes beach reprofiling, cliff-top fencing and rescue of stranded females to reduce egg flooding and adult accidents.