Olive ridley sea turtle

Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), named for the olive color of its heart-shaped shell, is one of the smallest species in the sea turtle family. This species is known for its unique mass nesting called Arribada, where thousands of females come together on the same beach to lay eggs. The Olive Ridley is found in warm and tropical waters, primarily in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

Distribution and Habitat

The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle has a circumtropical distribution, inhabiting the southern Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. They are highly migratory and are found in coastal bays, estuaries, and nearshore waters. They prefer warmer waters and are rarely seen in areas where the water temperature drops below 22°C.

Physical Description

Olive Ridleys are small compared to other sea turtles, with adults measuring about 60 to 70 cm in length and weighing around 35 to 50 kg. Their carapace is heart-shaped and olive-green in color, with four to nine pairs of costal scutes. The limbs are paddle-shaped, aiding in their swimming.

Behavior

Olive Ridley Sea Turtles are solitary in nature but come together in large numbers during the nesting season. They are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of food including jellyfish, algae, lobsters, and small fish. Their unique behavior, the Arribada, sees thousands of females returning to the same beach to lay eggs, sometimes in broad daylight.

Reproduction

Females reach sexual maturity at around 15 years of age. Nesting occurs throughout the year but peaks during the Arribada. A single female can lay between 100 to 150 eggs per nest and may nest multiple times during a season. The incubation period is about 45 to 60 days. Hatchlings emerge at night and make their way to the sea, facing numerous predators.

Conservation Status

The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle is classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to threats such as egg harvesting, fishing gear entanglements, coastal development, and pollution. Conservation efforts include protecting nesting beaches, regulating fisheries, and raising public awareness.

Threats

Major threats to the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle include:

• Bycatch in fishing gear
• Illegal harvesting of eggs and meat
• Coastal development affecting nesting beaches
• Marine pollution and plastic debris
• Climate change affecting sex ratios and nesting success

Conservation Efforts

Conservation strategies for the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle involve:

• Legal protection of nesting beaches
• Use of turtle excluder devices (TEDs) in fisheries
• Community-based conservation programs
• Research and monitoring of populations and migrations

See Also

• Sea Turtle
• Arribada
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
• Conservation Biology