Olive Ridley Sea Turtle
Lepidochelys olivacea
Olive Ridley Sea Turtle
Lepidochelys olivacea
Other names: Pacific Ridley Sea Turtle
The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle is among the smallest species of sea turtles in the world, reaching a maximum weight of 45 kg and maximum length of 75 cm. True to their name, they are olive-gray in colour with a heart-shaped that has 5-9 pairs of costal . The limbs are modified into flippers, with each having one or two claws. The size and shape of Olive Ridley Sea Turtles is highly variable across their broad distribution, with the largest individuals found in West Africa.
Listen to the Indigenous words for “turtle” here!
In Canada, the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle may be confused with the Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle, the Green Sea Turtle, or the Loggerhead Sea Turtle; although all sea turtle species are accidental in Canada and are generally very rare. The Leatherback Sea Turtle has no scutes on the shell, but is instead leathery and lacks the bright colouration of the Green Sea Turtle. The Green Sea Turtle may be coloured similarly to the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle, but they are generally much larger and have 4 pairs of costal scutes, whereas Loggerhead Sea Turtles usually have 5 or more.
Olive Ridley Sea Turtle
Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle
Green Sea Turtle
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Olive Ridley Sea Turtles are primarily found in nearshore waters in the tropical and subtropical regions of the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans. In British Columbia, they are considered an accidental species as there is only one confirmed record from Tofino in 2011.
British Columbia Cetacean and Sea Turtle Sightings Network (BCCSN)
1-866-I SAW ONE (1-866-472-9663)
In the Pacific Ocean, Olive Ridley Sea Turtles appear to be largely nomadic when not nesting, and distinct migration corridors have not been recorded. Individuals may migrate several thousand kilometers between nesting and non-nesting habitats. Most individuals are found in protected, shallow near shore waters, although they may spend time in offshore areas beyond the continental shelf as well.
The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle has one of the most incredible nesting habits in the natural world. Large groups of the turtles will gather offshore of the nesting beaches, and all at once, hundreds of thousands of the turtles will swim ashore to nest. In some cases, the densities of nesting females may be so high that previously laid clutches of eggs can be dug up by other females excavating their own nest. This phenomena is known as “arribada” which is Spanish for arrival. Arribada nesting behaviour is only know to the genus Lepidochelys which includes the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle and the Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle. Other sea turtles will nest in groups, but no other species have been observed nesting in such large congregations or with such precise synchrony. Solitary nesting is also common for the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle and has been recorded in over 40 countries across the world, but arribada nesting has only been recorded on a handful of beaches in the world. Female Olive Ridley Sea Turtles nest every year, and up to 3 times per season, laying clutches of up to 100 eggs. Like Green Sea Turtles, the sex of the hatchlings is determined by the nest temperature. Immediately after hatching, juveniles make their way to the sea.
Olive Ridley Sea Turtles are omnivorous and feed on algae, lobster, crabs, tunicates, molluscs, and jellyfish. They are capable of diving to depths of up to 150 m to forage for invertebrates on the sea floor.
The number of Olive Ridley Sea Turtles have greatly reduced from historical estimates largely due to overexploitation of turtle meat and eggs. Other major threats to Olive Ridleys include bycatch and strikes from fisheries, climate change, degradation of nesting habitat, and accumulation of marine plastics.
Description
Other names: Pacific Ridley Sea Turtle
The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle is among the smallest species of sea turtles in the world, reaching a maximum weight of 45 kg and maximum length of 75 cm. True to their name, they are olive-gray in colour with a heart-shaped that has 5-9 pairs of costal . The limbs are modified into flippers, with each having one or two claws. The size and shape of Olive Ridley Sea Turtles is highly variable across their broad distribution, with the largest individuals found in West Africa.
Listen to the Indigenous words for “turtle” here!
Similar Species
In Canada, the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle may be confused with the Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle, the Green Sea Turtle, or the Loggerhead Sea Turtle; although all sea turtle species are accidental in Canada and are generally very rare. The Leatherback Sea Turtle has no scutes on the shell, but is instead leathery and lacks the bright colouration of the Green Sea Turtle. The Green Sea Turtle may be coloured similarly to the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle, but they are generally much larger and have 4 pairs of costal scutes, whereas Loggerhead Sea Turtles usually have 5 or more.
Credit: Roger Le Guen
Olive Ridley Sea Turtle
Credit: Claudia Lombard
Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle
Credit: Paul Asman
Green Sea Turtle
Credit: Brain Gratwicke
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Distribution
Olive Ridley Sea Turtles are primarily found in nearshore waters in the tropical and subtropical regions of the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans. In British Columbia, they are considered an accidental species as there is only one confirmed record from Tofino in 2011.
British Columbia Cetacean and Sea Turtle Sightings Network (BCCSN)
1-866-I SAW ONE (1-866-472-9663)
Habitat
In the Pacific Ocean, Olive Ridley Sea Turtles appear to be largely nomadic when not nesting, and distinct migration corridors have not been recorded. Individuals may migrate several thousand kilometers between nesting and non-nesting habitats. Most individuals are found in protected, shallow near shore waters, although they may spend time in offshore areas beyond the continental shelf as well.
Reproduction
The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle has one of the most incredible nesting habits in the natural world. Large groups of the turtles will gather offshore of the nesting beaches, and all at once, hundreds of thousands of the turtles will swim ashore to nest. In some cases, the densities of nesting females may be so high that previously laid clutches of eggs can be dug up by other females excavating their own nest. This phenomena is known as “arribada” which is Spanish for arrival. Arribada nesting behaviour is only know to the genus Lepidochelys which includes the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle and the Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle. Other sea turtles will nest in groups, but no other species have been observed nesting in such large congregations or with such precise synchrony. Solitary nesting is also common for the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle and has been recorded in over 40 countries across the world, but arribada nesting has only been recorded on a handful of beaches in the world. Female Olive Ridley Sea Turtles nest every year, and up to 3 times per season, laying clutches of up to 100 eggs. Like Green Sea Turtles, the sex of the hatchlings is determined by the nest temperature. Immediately after hatching, juveniles make their way to the sea.
Diet
Olive Ridley Sea Turtles are omnivorous and feed on algae, lobster, crabs, tunicates, molluscs, and jellyfish. They are capable of diving to depths of up to 150 m to forage for invertebrates on the sea floor.
Threats
The number of Olive Ridley Sea Turtles have greatly reduced from historical estimates largely due to overexploitation of turtle meat and eggs. Other major threats to Olive Ridleys include bycatch and strikes from fisheries, climate change, degradation of nesting habitat, and accumulation of marine plastics.
Did You Know?
Scientists don’t know yet what triggers arribada nesting events to occur, though there are many theories including offshore winds, lunar cycles, or pheromone release by females.