Our Mascot, the Green Sea Turtle

Once, there were tens of millions of Green Sea turtles around the world. Now there may be fewer than 200,000 mature females. In Hawaiian waters, the Green Sea turtle is making a comeback from its threatened status.

Hawaii's Green Sea turtles reach sexual maturity at 10 to 50 years. They can migrate up to 800 miles from their feeding areas near the coasts of main islands, to nesting beaches in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. From one to 350 females nest each year, coming to shore several times in one season. It will be two to three years before the same female will nest again. While each nest averages 100 eggs, only a few of the hatchlings will survive to adulthood.

Green Sea turtles can be colored from dark brown to olive with lighter stripes and spots. Adult shell lengths range in size from 36-43 inches and weights an average of 200-300 pounds. They are primarily a tropical herbivorous species. Others turtles native to Hawaii include the Hawksbill and Leatherback turtle, while Loggerheads and Kemp's Ridley turtles are infrequent visitors. All of these turtles (except the Green which are threatened) are endangered.