Adult green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) in the protected marine sanctuary at Honolua Bay on the northwest side of the island of Maui, Hawaii, USA. MORE INFO The range of this species extends throughout tropical and subtropical seas around the world, with two distinct populations in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. They are green because of their fat underneath their shell (carapace). As a species recognized as endangered by the IUCN and CITES, Chelonia mydas is protected from exploitation in most countries worldwide. It is illegal to collect, harm or kill individual turtles in the Hawaiian Islands.
{}