Green Sea Turtle vs Scoophead

Chelonia mydas compared with Sphyrna media

Key Differences

• Green Sea Turtle is Endangered while Scoophead is Critically Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Green Sea Turtle	Scoophead
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Reptilia (Reptiles)	Chondrichthyes (Cartilaginous Fish)
Order	Testudines (Turtles & Tortoises)	Carcharhiniformes (Ground Sharks)
Family	Cheloniidae (Sea Turtles)	Sphyrnidae (Hammerhead Sharks)
Genus	Chelonia (Green Sea Turtles)	Sphyrna (Hammerhead Sharks)
Species	Chelonia mydas	Sphyrna media

Evolutionary Relationship

Green Sea Turtle and Scoophead share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Green Sea Turtle

EN — Endangered

Population: ~85.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Scoophead

CR — Critically Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Green Sea Turtle	Scoophead
Diet	Herbivore	—
Average Lifespan	80 years	—
Average Length	1.2 m	—
Average Weight	200.0 kg	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Green Sea Turtle

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, among 8 distinct biome types. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Distributed across Australia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Indonesia, and Mexico. Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Scoophead

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and flooded grasslands and savannas, among 5 distinct biome types within the Neotropic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Found in Venezuela. Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Green Sea Turtle

The green sea turtle is one of the largest sea turtles. They are named for the green color of their cartilage and fat, not their shells.