Introduction: The green turtle weighs approximately 150 jin, accounting for only a fraction of its juvenile population. Generally, green turtles migrate from June to September each year, returning to the shore to lay eggs. At night, female turtles slowly crawl onto the beach to find suitable locations and dig nests for laying eggs, which usually range from 50 to 200 (Figure 2). After laying, they cover the eggs with sand and incubate naturally in the warm and humid sand, usually taking about 49 to 60 days for the young turtles to hatch and crawl into the sea. Protection staff assist them in returning to the sea (Figure 3). As a national second-class protected animal and an internationally protected species, green turtles are of great significance.
(1) Morphological Characteristics: Green turtles belong to the Tortoise order and can grow up to 1-1.3 meters in length and weigh over 100 kilograms. They have a massive body and paddle-like limbs suitable for swimming. There is a knob on the forehead, and the carapace is covered with scale plates. The neck shield is shorter and wider, with 5 vertebral shields. The forelimbs are shorter. The back is brown or yellow, and the abdomen is olive green.
(2) Feeding Habits: Green turtles feed on fish, seaweed, crustaceans, and mollusks.
(3) Reproduction: From June to September each year, green turtles migrate to the shore to lay eggs. Females crawl onto the beach at night and choose suitable locations to dig nests for laying eggs, usually ranging from 50 to 200 (Figure 2). After laying, they cover the eggs with sand and incubate naturally in the warm and humid sand. It takes about 49 to 60 days for the young turtles to hatch and crawl into the sea. Protection staff assist them in returning to the sea (Figure 3). Green turtles are national second-class protected animals and internationally protected species.
(4) Economic Value: Green turtles have high economic value. Their meat is delicious and nutritious, and their shells and bile are used in traditional Chinese medicine. They are also promising for anti-cancer food development.
(5) Varieties of Green Turtles:
1. Qinglong Xishui (Green Dragon Playing with Water): The head, four limbs, carapace, and abdomen are covered with green hair.
2. Wu Zi Du Que (Five Sons Competing for Superiority): The head, four limbs, carapace, and abdomen are covered with green hair, although slightly inferior to Qinglong Xishui, it is still rare and precious.
3. Mudan Tou (Peony Head): Only the head of the turtle is green, making it a valuable breed.
4. Tiandi Ying (Heaven and Earth Feather): The carapace and abdomen are covered with green hair, resembling a green fluff ball in water.
5. Tian Ying (Heavenly Feather): The green hair grows on the carapace.
6. Shuang Ying (Double Feather): The two front limbs or two hind limbs are green.
7. San Ying (Three Feathers): Three limbs are green.
8. Si Ying (Four Feathers): Four limbs are green.
9. Lu Ying (Dragon Feather): The head and tail are green.
10. Pin Ying (Glass Feather): Only the head and two front limbs are green.
11. Hu Zi Ying (Beard Feather): The cheek or jaw is green, generally rare.
12. Chang Mao Ying (Long Hair Feather): The hair is over 35 cm long, with a thick texture, making it a long-haired green turtle.
(6) Selection of Green Turtles:
1. Jin Shou Green Turtle: An export variety.
2. Kirin Long Wei Green Turtle: With green turtle freckles, it is a top-quality green turtle.
There are a total of seven species of turtles in the world, and the green turtles living in Chinese waters include green turtles, screw turtles, leatherback turtles, and five species with very few individuals. The green turtle is characterized by two forehead scales, hook-like jaws, and overlapping scale plates on the back. The limbs are fin-like. The front limbs are larger, with two claws, while the hind limbs are shorter, with only one claw. The tail is short and usually not exposed outside the shell. They are aggressive sexually, feeding on fish and seaweed. The eggs are edible, and the carapace can be made into buttons,眼镜框or accessories. In traditional medicine, the carapace is used for its cold, sweet taste, and functions in clearing heat, detoxifying, and calming the mind, treating conditions such as high fever, convulsions, carbuncles, and abscesses.详情
