Olive Ridley Sea Turtle
(Lepodochelys olivacea)

The olive ridley sea turtle is similar to the kemp's ridley, but it has a thinner shell, and a smaller, more lightly built skull. The upper shell is generally higher than the kemp's ridley and has a greater variation in the number of scutes. The shell is heart-shaped to round, and may be grey-brown, black or olive in color. As adults, Kemp's and olive ridleys are the smallest of the sea turtles. They weigh as much as 45 lilograms (100 pounds), with shells generally between 0.6 - 0.8 meters (24 and 30 inches) long. Both eggs and adults are heavily exploited. Olive ridleys in Mexico have been overharvested for international trade with Japan. There is evidence that the turtles are often being captured in shrimp trawls and gill nets.

ESA Status: Endangered

To report a sea turtle sighting, stranding or death please call our hotline: 1-800-628-9944

Green Sea Turtle | Hawksbill Sea Turtle
Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle | Leatherback Sea Turtle
Loggerhead Sea Turtle | Olive Ridley Sea Turtle