They are called green turtles because of the color of the flesh. Chelonia mydas are one of the largest turtles ranging from 71 to 153 centimeters. They can weigh up to 205 kilograms. They have limbs that are paddle-like, which are used to swim. Their heads seem small compared to their body size.
Males are larger than females and the tail is longer, extending well beyond the shell.
The carapace can be olive to brown, or sometimes black, depending on the geographic location of the species. Green turtles cannot pull their heads inside of their shells. There are two sub-species which include Chelonia mydas mydas and Chelonia mydas agassizii . The common name for Chelonia mydas mydas is the Atlantic green turtle, which lives in the Atlantic ocean and has been see off the shores of Europe and North America. Chelonia mydas agassizii , or Eastern Pacific green turtle and sometimes black sea turtle because of its dark colored carapace, has been see off the coasts of Alaska, through California, and to Chile.