Sea turtles, the flippered beauties of the world's oceans, may come in a range of yellow to black colors. Specifically, they most commonly appear in olive green, yellow, green-brown, brown, reddish-brown, or black. Markings for sea turtles may come in streaks, blotches, or patches, in brown, black, yellow-green, green-brown, or white.
Examination of the turtle's shell, head, and legs can reliably establish its species. In this article, we'll take a look at a variety of stunning turtle species, and then examine the phenomenon of color change in other turtles as well as the factors that contribute to the wide range of turtle appearances. This identification guide is based on color, pattern and other physical characteristics.
Each turtle identification page has two options, A and B follow the options through the sections. Ever wonder what turtle 'legs' are really called? Uncover the scientific term and explore their surprising adaptations for varied life. What Color Are Turtles? Most turtles are dark, or light brown, olive green, yellow, reddish-brown, brownish-gray, black and have multiple patterns on their shells from circles to stripes and hieroglyphs.
Some green turtles have a shell with patterns such as streaks and blotches of black to brown. The rarest turtle color is a vibrant golden-red known as albino. A lack of the pigment melanin causes this color and usually only occurs in certain species like skinner's box turtles or red.
Depending on the species, sea turtles' color range can be olive-green, yellow, greenish-brown, reddish-brown, or black in color. Some green turtles and hawksbills have shells patterned with streaks and blotches of brown or black. Leatherbacks have black carapaces (top shells) dotted with white and white plastrons (bottom shells) with dark.
Turtles don't change colors in the same way as chameleons do - however, throughout their lifetimes a surprising amount of turtles do change their colors. Most of the color-changing happens due to age or when the mating season begins. A perfect example of color-changing Turtles is the Painted Terrapins that live in Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo.
While the shell is the most prominent feature, turtles also display a variety of colors on their bodies, legs, and heads. These colors can vary significantly depending on the species and can serve various purposes, including camouflage, communication, and thermoregulation. Turtles also use coloration to communicate with other turtles.
For example, some species have bright colors on their heads or legs that signal aggression or courtship.