sea turtle

A sea turtle is a large, graceful marine reptile that has roamed the oceans for over 100 million years. Its body is perfectly adapted for life in the sea: a streamlined, hard shell called a carapace provides protection, while long, powerful front flippers enable it to glide effortlessly through the water with a flying motion.

Sea turtles vary in size depending on the species — from the relatively small Kemp’s ridley, about 2 feet long, to the massive leatherback turtle, which can exceed 7 feet and weigh over 2,000 pounds. Their shells come in shades of olive, brown, green, or black, often with beautiful, mottled patterns that blend with the ocean.