The green sea turtle grows to a maximum size of about 4 feet and a weight of 44O pounds.
Color is variable.
Hatchlings generally have a black carapace, white plastron, and white margins on the shell and limbs. Adult heads are light brown with yellow markings. Identifying characteristics include four costal plates, none of which borders the nuchal shield, no jagged marginals and only one pair of prefontals between the eyes. Adult green turtles feed largely on marine algae and grasses in shallow water areas. They may also consume small mollusks, sponges, crustaceans, and jellyfish.