Posted by admin | 11.26.2014 | Marine Science

Olive ridley turtle

Common name: Olive ridley turtle

Scientific name: Lepidochelys olivacea

Distribution: Tropical waters worldwide

Nests on: Tropical beaches worldwide

Beach type: Tropical mainland shores and barrier islands, often near river mouths.Throughout mainland; also Andaman and Nicobar and to a lesser extent, Lakshadweep Islands.

Weight (adult): Olive ridley turtle50 kg

Carapace length: 60 – 70 cm

Carapace shape: Short and wide, carapace smooth but elevated, tectiform (tent-shaped).

Colouration: Mid to dark olive green

Costal scutes: 5 – 9 pairs asymmetrical

Head shape: Large, triangular

Prefrontal scales: 2 pairs

Limbs: Two claws on each flipper

Plastron: Pore near rear margin of infra marginals; creamy yellow

Other features: Vertebrals (centrals) narrow, so that first costal contacts nuchal scute.

Time of nesting: Night

Clutches per season: 1 – 3

Clutch size: 100 – 120

Egg size: ~ 4 cm in diameter

Re-nesting interval: 20 – 28 days

Re-migration interval: 1 – 2 years

Track: 70 – 80 cm wide, light, with asymmetrical, oblique marks made by forelimbs, tail drag mark lacking or inconspicuous.