Scientific Name
Lepidochelys olivacea
Olive Ridleys are named for their olive green colored shells. They are the most abundant sea turtle in the world and inhabit tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans. Generally found in coastal bays and estuaries, they typically forage off shore in surface waters and use their powerful jaws that allow for an omnivore diet of crustaceans (such as shrimp & crabs), mollusks, tunicates, fish, crabs, and shrimp. They can be very oceanic over some parts of its range and dive to depths of 500 feet (150 m) to feed on bottom dwelling crustaceans. Similar to Kemp’s Ridleys they nest every year in mass synchronized nestings called “arribadas” (Spanish for “arrival”) up to two times each season. An average clutch size is over 110 eggs which require a 52 to 58 day incubation period.
Olive Ridleys adults measure 2 to 2.5 feet (62-70 cm) in carapace length and weigh between 77 and 100 pounds (35-45 kg). Their head is quite small and both the front and rear flippers have one or two visible claws. Their carapace is bony without ridges and has six or more large lateral scutes (scales) and is nearly circular and smooth. Adults are a dark grey green, which is a deeper color than the very similar Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle, while juveniles are charcoal grey in color and hatchlings are black when wet with greenish sides.
They face threats of direct harvest of adults and eggs, incidental capture in commercial fisheries and loss of nesting habitat are the main threats to this species. Olive Ridleys are listed as Threatened (likely to become endangered, in danger of extinction, within the foreseeable future) in 1978 under the U.S. Federal Endangered Species Act. Internationally they are listed as Vulnerable (facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.
Where We Live
Pelagic
The pelagic oceanic zone is the area of open water lying over and beyond the continental shelf, while excluding nearshore and estuary areas. Organisms associated to the pelagic habitat occur in the water column above the seafloor and below the surface and consist of free-swimming creatures also known as nekton and free-floating or less motile plankton. The open ocean habitat sustains a relatively large number of species of fish, marine mammals, marine turtles, and invertebrates, many of commercial importance such as tuna, sharks, sardines, and mackerel. Species use this pelagic environment in a permanent or transitional phase for spawning, breeding, feeding, or growth to maturity.
Lagoons and Estuaries
Estuaries and lagoons are areas where salt water oceans and fresh water rivers mix together, forming brackish water. Lagoons lie between barrier islands and the mainland, while estuaries are found directly on the coast and are open to the near shore area. Because lagoons receive some protection from a barrier island, they have less tidal flow and more standing water, while estuaries have strong tidal flows and little standing water. Lagoons and estuaries support a diversity of plants and wildlife.
Lagoons are an important feeding area for juvenile sea turtles, that mainly feed on the large seagrass beds in the lagoon. Unfortunately, marine pollution has caused the health of the lagoon to deteriorate, and wildlife and plant abundance has decreased.
Beach and Dunes
A beach and dune ecosystem is a dynamic coastal habitat characterized by constantly shifting sands shaped by marine and terrestrial processes. Beaches and dune tend to be nutrient poor habitats where only specialized plants and animals can thrive. It’s home to many species of plants and animals, including shorebirds, sea turtles, invertebrates, and unique vegetation. Dune vegetation includes sea oats (a perennial grass that builds up dunes by trapping sand with its stems) and dune grasses (plants that can tolerate windy, salty conditions with little water). The beach and dune ecosystem is highly sensitive to changes in wave action, wind patterns, and sea level rise.
Threatened
Details
What We Eat
