Sea turtles, along with other turtles and tortoises, are part of the order Testudines. All species except the leatherback sea turtle are in the family Cheloniidae. The superfamily name Chelonioidea and family name Cheloniidae are based on the Ancient Greek word for tortoise: χελώνη (khelōnē). [16] The leatherback sea turtle is the only extant member of the family Dermochelyidae. Fossil.. Sea turtles range in size from the Kemp's ridley at around 2 feet long and 100 pounds to the leatherback turtle which can grow up to 6 feet long and weigh over 1,500 pounds. The most common colors of sea turtle shells (called carapaces) are black, gray, green, brown, and reddish-brown. Their shells help camouflage them in the ocean environment.
Sea turtles are fascinating marine creatures known for their distinctive colors, which vary across species and age. Understanding these colors can help in identifying different types of sea turtles and appreciating their unique adaptations to marine life.. Turtles, whether terrestrial, semi-aquatic, or fully aquatic, typically have coloration that helps them blend into their environment. This means that turtles living in the ocean have more aquatic colors, while land turtles have more earthy coloration. The colors allow these animals to hide from predators more easily.