Green Turtles are cold blooded reptiles that have no teeth. They have a protective covering called a shell and vary in size. They have long flippers shaped like paddles. They come in different colors, the most common colors are black, brown, and olive green. They have an outer layer of skin and a backbone. They also have tails. Green Turtles have many characteristics that make them very unique.
The Green Turtle lives in a coral reef. Coral reefs are made of tiny creatures no bigger than your pinkie nail. Surprisingly, the coral, also called polyps, was once a living animal. The polyp builds a shelter out of chemicals from the sea. After the coral dies, it leaves behind a little piece of rock. After many years, the little bits of rock build up giant, rocky reefs. Some reefs can be seen from space. Coral reefs are very bright and colorful.
The Green Turtle eats different things throughout it's life. Early in life, the Green Turtles is omnivorous. They eat plants and algae; also small animals and plankton. When they grow older, they become herbivores. When they are young, their main predators are crabs, foxes, lizards, and sea birds. The adults main predators are large sharks and humans.
An interesting fact about the Green Turtle is that for brief times they can swim nearly 20 miles per hour. Turtles are very unique animals.
