Olive Ridley Sea Turtle

Overview

The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle is one of the smallest and most abundant sea turtle species, widely distributed across tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans. Named for its heart-shaped, olive-green carapace, this species is globally recognized for its remarkable mass-nesting events known as arribadas.

Distribution & habitat

These turtles are primarily pelagic, spending much of their lives in the open ocean, though they frequently inhabit shallow, coastal waters to feed and bask. While they have a vast global range, their nesting sites are concentrated in specific regions, including parts of India, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua.

Appearance

Adults typically reach 60–80 cm in length and weigh under 50 kg. Their carapace is nearly circular and characterized by a high, variable number of costal scutes, often ranging from five to nine pairs. Males can be distinguished from females by their longer, thicker tails that extend beyond the carapace, as well as more hooked claws on their front flippers.

Feeding

As opportunistic omnivores, their diet consists of a diverse array of prey, including jellyfish, crabs, shrimp, snails, and tunicates. They are capable of diving to depths of 150 meters to forage and may also consume algae when other food sources are scarce.

Reproduction

Olive Ridleys exhibit both solitary nesting and the spectacular arribada strategy, where thousands of females emerge simultaneously to lay eggs. Females reach sexual maturity around 12–15 years of age and typically lay clutches of 100–110 eggs, which hatch after approximately 45 to 65 days.