Green Turtle
The green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), or the green turtle, is a large sea turtle of the family Cheloniidae. It is the only species in the genus Chelonia and less common in Albanian coastline. The average green turtle we found in Albania measures around 40 cm long, although larger specimens of up to 75 cm have been discovered in our country.
This turtle during its first years is carnivore then it turns into herbivore. In our coastline the greens are found inhabiting shallow water feeding mostly on various species of sea grasses. It has a very important ecological role on the underwater meadows, the turtles bite off the tips of the blades of sea grass, which keeps the grass healthy. Feeding seems to be the only reason they are found along the Albanian coastline. C. mydas is listed as endangered by the IUCN and CITES and is protected from exploitation in most countries. It is illegal to collect, harm or kill them.
