# Green turtle vs Hawksbill turtle: the differences

> How do the Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) differ? Classification, features, range, diet, size, IUCN status and legal protection, from cited sources.

Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/differences/green-turtle-vs-hawksbill-turtle/ · Updated 1 October 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/perbedaan/penyu-hijau-dan-penyu-sisik/
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The green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) share the family Cheloniidae but belong to different genera: Chelonia and Eretmochelys. Range in Indonesia — the green turtle: Widespread in Indonesian waters, from Aceh, West Sumatra, the Riau Islands and West Kalimantan to Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi and Papua; nesting beaches include Jamursba Medi (Papua), Sangalaki (Berau), Paloh (Sambas), Pangumbahan (West Java), Sukamade (Meru Betiri) and Perancak (Bali); the hawksbill turtle: Coral-reef waters across Indonesia, especially around small islands in the Java Sea, Flores Sea, Makassar Strait and Karimata Strait.

| Aspect | [Green turtle](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/green-turtle/) | [Hawksbill turtle](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/hawksbill-turtle/) |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Chelonia mydas | Eretmochelys imbricata |
| Indonesian name | Penyu hijau | Penyu sisik |
| Class | Reptilia | Reptilia |
| Order | Testudines | Testudines |
| Family | Cheloniidae | Cheloniidae |
| Range in Indonesia | Widespread in Indonesian waters, from Aceh, West Sumatra, the Riau Islands and West Kalimantan to Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi and Papua; nesting beaches include Jamursba Medi (Papua), Sangalaki (Berau), Paloh (Sambas), Pangumbahan (West Java), Sukamade (Meru Betiri) and Perancak (Bali) | Coral-reef waters across Indonesia, especially around small islands in the Java Sea, Flores Sea, Makassar Strait and Karimata Strait |
| Endemic to Indonesia | No | No |
| Key features | — | Pointed beak; overlapping shell scutes |
| Size | — | Carapace length: Up to about 1 m |
| Diet | Mainly seagrasses and algae | Marine sponges |
| Diet type | herbivore (plant-eater) | carnivore (meat-eater) |
| Reproduction | laying eggs (oviparous) | laying eggs (oviparous) |
| IUCN status | Least Concern | Critically Endangered |
| Legal protection | Protected (Regulation P.106/2018) | Protected (Regulation P.106/2018) |

Every cell comes from the sourced data on each animal’s page.