Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle
Fun Facts

• The Hawaiian green sea turtle is known as "honu" in Hawaii and gets its name as the "green" turtle from the color of its body fat, which is green as a result of the algae it eats.

• The green sea turtle is the largest hard-shelled marine turtle.

• Early native Pacific Islanders used green sea turtles and their eggs as a food source and for ceremonial purposes.

• Often people see a green sea turtle "crying" and assume that it is expressing sadness. These turtles have a gland behind their eyes that washes out excess salt, which can leave a crust, giving them the appearance of crying.

• A female might swim as far as 800 miles to mate and then nest on her natal beach, the beach where she was born.

• Newly emerged green sea turtle hatchlings are about two inches long and weigh about one ounce.

• Once a baby sea turtle makes it to the ocean from nest, he will stay in the water for at least a year before going ashore.

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