Chelonia mydas
Description
Body is dark grey-green.
Hard shell may include shades of green, brown, grey, black and/or yellow.
The underside is yellow-white. Some individuals may be coloured black all over.
The shell is smooth with 4 costal scutes (plates on the shell) and pointed at the rear.
Maximum length of 1.5 metres.
Behaviour
Solitary.
Individuals will remain at the surface to breathe for a few minutes after dividing.
Holds head above the water, then slowly sinks back down.
Distribution
Typically a tropical species but occasionally follow a warm current northward and end up near British Columbia or Alaska.