Olive Ridley Sea Turtle
Lepidochelys olivacea
The Olive Ridley is the world's most numerous sea turtle, best known for its 'arribadas'—massive, synchronized nesting events where thousands of turtles storm the beach at once.
Quick Identification
Size
Carapace length 60–70 cm (24–28 in); Weight 35–50 kg (77–110 lb)
Colors
Adults have an olive-green heart-shaped carapace; underside (plastron) is a greenish-white or light yellow; hatchlings are charcoal grey.
Key Features
- Heart-shaped carapace
- Six or more pairs of lateral scutes (unique among sea turtles)
- Two pairs of prefrontal scales on the head
- Relatively small, triangular head
When You’ll See Them
Geographic range
Where Does the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle Live?
Olive Ridley sea turtles are native to the warm, tropical waters of the Pacific, Indian, and South Atlantic Oceans. They are most commonly found along the coastal regions of Central and South America, particularly in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Brazil, as well as along the shores of India and Southeast Asia. While they are occasionally spotted as far north as California or as far south as Chile, they primarily stick to the equatorial belt where water temperatures remain consistently high throughout the year.
Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors
Behavior
The Olive Ridley is most famous for its 'arribada,' a Spanish word meaning 'arrival.' This spectacular phenomenon involves tens of thousands of females emerging from the ocean simultaneously to nest on the same beach over several days. Outside of these synchronized events, they are generally solitary creatures that spend the vast majority of their lives in the open ocean, often migrating thousands of miles between feeding grounds and nesting sites.
These turtles are skilled divers, capable of reaching depths of over 150 meters to forage for food on the ocean floor, though they spend a significant amount of time basking in the warm surface waters. While they are the most abundant sea turtle species, they are highly sensitive to human presence on nesting beaches. Artificial lighting can disorient hatchlings, and they frequently interact with humans through accidental capture in fishing nets, known as bycatch.
EverydayEarth exclusive
Camera Tips
Capturing an Olive Ridley on camera is a specialized task usually reserved for those living on or near coastal nesting beaches. For the best results, place your camera on a tripod at a very low angle, roughly 12 to 18 inches off the sand. This perspective captures the immense effort of the female as she drags herself across the beach. Point the camera toward the high-tide line, focusing on areas where turtle tracks (which look like broad tractor tire marks) have been seen previously.
Because nesting primarily happens at night, your camera's infrared (IR) capabilities are critical. Avoid using any camera that utilizes a standard white flash, as this will distress the nesting mother and can cause her to abandon her nest, or worse, disorient hatchlings trying to find the sea. Use 'No-Glow' or 'Black IR' LEDs to remain completely invisible to the turtle. Timing is also key; check local moon phases and tide charts, as many arribadas are triggered by the first or last quarter of the moon and rising tides.
If you are monitoring for hatchlings, set your camera's trigger speed to its fastest setting. Hatchlings are small and move surprisingly quickly toward the ocean. A burst mode of 3-5 photos per trigger will help ensure you get a clear shot of the tiny turtles as they navigate the sandy terrain. Always ensure your camera is positioned well above the high-tide mark to prevent it from being swept away by the surf during the incoming tide.
Similar Species
Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Olive Ridley Sea Turtle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Record Olive Ridley Sea Turtle at your habitat
Connect a camera to start building your own species record — AI identifies every visitor automatically.