Pacific green sea turtles are the most abundant type of sea turtle in the Galapagos Islands. They are commonly found swimming or munching on algae in shallow waters and in some spots taking a snooze on the bottom. Sea turtles can sleep for up to five hours underwater! They have light shells that are actually a part of their skeleton and their speckled flippers are used to propel them through the water reaching speeds of up to thirty-five miles per hour. Pacific green sea turtles are commonly seen while snorkeling in the Galapagos.

The female sea turtles return to the beaches of their birth to lay their eggs. In the nests, temperature determines the gender of the baby sea turtles. Warmth begets females and cooler temperatures give rise to males. The baby sea turtles hatch and dig their way out of the nest at night and then head to the sea guided by the light of the horizon.

More Wildlife in the Galapagos

Marine Iguana

Galapagos Penguins

Sally Lightfoot Crab