Olive Ridleys are probably the most abundant sea turtle species globally.  In one of nature's greatest spectacles, Olive Ridleys come ashore simultaneously by the hundreds and thousands to nest – a phenomena known as arribadas.

Though abundant, Olive Ridleys are increasingly threatened by trawling and coastal development. Until the 1970s there were major slaughterhouses in Mexico where olive Ridleys were processed for leather and meat.

Scientific Name

Lepidochelys olivacea

Status

Vulnerable

Distribution

Circumglobal; nesting areas in tropics, non-nesting range extends to temperate regions.

Body size (adults)

Length 60-70 cm; mass up to 70 kg

Diet

For all life stages, mostly benthic invertebrates (e.g. crabs of all types, other crustaceans; mollusks) and sometimes jellies

Reproduction

Every 1-3 yr; ~1-3 clutches of eggs per season; 90-130 eggs per clutch; ~30 g grams each (ping-pong ball size); hatchlings emerge after ~60 days of incubation; ~25mm in length and weigh ~15-20 grams).