olive ridley

The olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) is a small sea turtle with an olive-colored carapace, found in tropical waters of the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic oceans. As one of seven species of marine turtles, it belongs to the family Cheloniidae. Olive ridleys are known for their unique synchronized nesting behavior called an arribada, where hundreds of thousands gather to lay eggs on beaches over several days.123

These turtles are largely pelagic but also frequent coastal areas like bays and estuaries. Adult olive ridleys have shells approximately 58–78 cm (23–31 inches) long and are primarily carnivorous, feeding on crustaceans and mollusks. While females nest every three to four years, they may lay multiple clutches within a nesting season, with each clutch containing around 100 eggs. The incubation period is about 50 to 60 days, with hatching being temperature-dependent.24