McClatchy Washington Bureau

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ANNA MARIA ISLAND — A green sea turtle nest filled with eggs -- a rarity in the region and only the second such nest found on Anna Maria Island in the past 28 years -- has been discovered on Coquina Beach and moved to safety.

The nest was found near lifeguard stand No. 3 by a volunteer with Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shore Bird Monitoring, and it was moved to a safer area on the island Tuesday morning, said Suzi Fox, the group’s director who confirmed the species and its rarity.

“One thing that makes the green turtle unique is that it’s a vegetarian or herbivore, unlike other members of its family, like the loggerhead,” Fox said.

The green sea turtle, which can grow to 5 feet long and 690 pounds, gets its name from the green fat found beneath its upper shell, according to Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia.

The green turtle is listed as endangered and is protected from exploitation in most countries, Fox said.

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