How big is the Olive ridley turtle?

Olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) reaches 60–80 cm in length.

At what depth can you find the Olive ridley turtle?

Olive ridley turtle is found between 0–150 m deep.

Where can you find the Olive ridley turtle?

Found in: Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Eastern Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Mediterranean.

Olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)

Key facts

Scientific name: Lepidochelys olivacea
Common name: Olive ridley turtle
Category: Marine reptiles
Family: Cheloniidae
Genus: Lepidochelys
Size: 60–80 cm
Depth: 0–150 m
IUCN status: Vulnerable (VU)
Danger level: Harmless
Habitats: open-water, coral-reef
Behaviours: pelagic
Ocean zones: Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Eastern Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Mediterranean

Description

Lepidochelys olivacea reaches 80 cm carapace and 50 kg. Sea turtle (Cheloniidae) circumtropical with body with rounded olive-green to olive-gray carapace, small triangular head, flippers with 2 claws each. Lives from 0 to 150 m in open water and coral reefs of all tropical oceans (Atlantic, Indo-Pacific). Famous for its arribadas, mass synchronized nestings of tens of thousands of females over a few nights on certain beaches (Costa Rica - Ostional, Mexico, India - Odisha). IUCN Vulnerable (nets, pollution, coastal development). Fairly common dive photo subject in East Pacific and Indo-Pacific.

Photo of Olive ridley turtle

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Olive ridley turtle?: Olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) reaches 60–80 cm in length.
At what depth can you find the Olive ridley turtle?: Olive ridley turtle is found between 0–150 m deep.
Is the Olive ridley turtle dangerous to divers?: Danger level: Harmless.
What is the conservation status of the Olive ridley turtle?: IUCN status: Vulnerable (VU).
Where can you find the Olive ridley turtle?: Found in: Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Eastern Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Mediterranean.

Other species in the genus Lepidochelys

Lepidochelys kempii - Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle

Other species in the family Cheloniidae

Sources

Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 220293)
Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2442153)
Conservation: IUCN Red List
Encyclopedia: Wikipedia