Recognized as the most abundant sea turtle species, yet it still faces the threat of endangerment. These turtles are named for their distinctive olive-colored carapace, which is heart-shaped and streamlined for oceanic life. Despite being the second-smallest marine turtle, they exhibit remarkable resilience and adaptability, thriving in the warm, tropical waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans and occasionally venturing into the Atlantic.
Olive Ridleys are highly migratory, traversing thousands of miles between feeding grounds and nesting sites. Their diet is varied, consisting mainly of jellyfish, sea urchins, snails, shrimp, and crabs, and they are known to consume algae and fish occasionally. Their carnivorous tendencies are especially pronounced during their early life stages, where protein intake is critical for growth.
One of the most extraordinary aspects of Olive Ridley behavior is their synchronized nesting, known as arribadas, a Spanish term for “arrival.” During these events, tens of thousands of female turtles return to the same beach where they were born, often simultaneously, to lay their eggs in the sand. This mass nesting behavior provides a survival advantage by swamping predators with abundant eggs, increasing the likelihood that some hatchlings will survive.
Despite the wonder of the arribada and the Olive Ridley’s status as the most populous sea turtle, the species faces significant threats from human activity. Bycatch in fisheries, particularly shrimp trawling, is a major cause of mortality. Coastal development and the exploitation of nesting beaches for construction and tourism have also contributed to their decline.
Distribution
Angola
Antigua & Barbuda
Australia
Bangladesh
Benin
Brazil
Brunei
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Chile
Colombia
Congo-Brazzaville
Costa Rica
Cuba
Côte D’ivoire
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
French Guiana
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Guadeloupe
Guatemala
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea
Guyana
Honduras
India
Indonesia
Iran
Jamaica
Japan
Kenya
Liberia
Madagascar
Malaysia
Maldives
Martinique
Mauritania
Mexico
Micronesia
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nicaragua
Nigeria
Oman
Pakistan
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Peru
Philippines
Puerto Rico
Sao Tome & Principe
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Africa
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Trinidad & Tobago
United States
Uruguay
Venezuela
Venezuelan Antilles
Vietnam
YemenRecent updates
April 2024: India has released approximately 10,000 Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings into the ocean as part of conservation efforts to protect this endangered species.
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
