Green sea turtles stay in one place for over four hundred days

Green sea turtles of the "yellow form" in the Galapagos Reserve have proven to be far less migratory than scientists previously assumed. New research indicates that a portion of this population remains within a single region for years, effectively never leaving the reserve's boundaries. Understanding Galapagos Turtle Population The study focused on the species Chelonia mydas, which is divided into two genetic forms: the "black" form found in the eastern Pacific Ocean and the "yellow" form inhabiting the western part. The Galapagos Islands are unique as both forms coexist there, utilizing the same resources. Tracking the Turtles' Migration To map the migratory patterns of the "yellow" turtles, a team led by Professor John R. Royce of Alma College attached electronic tags to nine adult specimens—seven males and two females. These tags transmitted location data via the Argos satellite network. Each turtle was monitored for up to 418 days.