Olive Ridley turtle

Olive Ridley Turtle, Lepidochelys olivacea.
Photograph by Dr Col Limpus.

Lepidochelys olivacea

Identification: 

A small turtle (shell up to 75 cm).  The shell is heart-shaped and has 6 or more large scales down each side. Grey to olive grey.

Distribution: 

Worldwide in tropical, continental waters.

Habitat: 

Soft-bottomed, inshore waters.

Food: 

Crustaceans, molluscs, fish, fish eggs and soft-bodied invertebrates.

Breeding: 

Lays up to 147 small eggs – nesting occurs all year round with a peak season from April to June.  Low density nesting occurs along the north- western coast of Cape York Peninsula.

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