The green sea turtle is not too common in Louisiana’s coastal waters, though they are present. The name refers to the color of their skin and not their brownish to olive shell. Green sea turtles can reach an average weight of 250 to 450 pounds and are among the largest sea turtles in the world. They are unique in that adults are mostly plant eaters. Juveniles are primarily carnivorous and will also eat invertebrates such as jellyfish and crabs.
The green sea turtle inhabits seagrass beds, oceans, bays and estuaries in warm tropical and subtropical regions.
Despite their protected status, turtle numbers continue to decline due to habitat destruction, human disturbances and human consumption in other countries. Many nesting beaches are fully protected from development.