In doing so, the hatchlings raise their nest toward the surface of the beach. When they are about an inch from the surface, the topmost hatchlings cease their activities if the sand is hot. Once out of the nest, the hatchlings race to the water and swim constantly for the next 36 to 48 hours. They are then probably carried by currents to favourable areas in the open ocean, where they grow for several years until they join adult and juvenile turtles at the coastal feeding grounds. While in the open ocean, young green turtles are probably carnivorous and feed on invertebrates such as jellyfish.
Some hatchlings never reach the ocean and are snatched up by hungry crabs.
Hatchlings may also be disoriented or impeded by obstacles and die from the sun's heat. Once in the ocean, sharks and possibly other carnivorous fish eat hatchlings. Tiger sharks regularly feed on all sizes of green turtles. The life span of sea turtles is unknown. Male and female green turtles look alike until they are mature.