Once, huge flotillas of this species would arrive at sandy beaches to nest, but human influence on their habitat has changed that.

Statistics
They can weigh up to 45kg (100lb) with a length of up to 75cm (30in).

Physical description
A small olive-coloured marine turtle, with a thin, heart-shaped shell. In the male, the tail protrudes further out than the carapace. Each limb has two claws. Olive ridleys are distinguished from the Atlantic form (Kemp ridley turtles) by their greenish colour and larger size.

Distribution
Olive ridleys inhabit warm waters of the Indo-Pacific region.

Diet
Olive ridleys feeds on both animal and vegetable material preying on jellyfish, snails and crabs and ingesting anything that appears to be food. Where there is little else, they feeds primarily on algae.

Behaviour
Olive ridleys bask in the sun, often in large groups, to maintain body temperature. They tend to avoid confrontation, though the female defends herself on land by flapping her forelimbs.

Reproduction
They are not monogamous, and mating occurs in spring and early summer. The female stores sperm for use throughout the season, returning to the beach on which she was born, to nest. Up to 300 females may congregate on the same beach. Burrows are about 50cm deep, 50m away from the sea. Approximately 100 eggs are laid, and the female then returns to the water. Incubation takes up to 50 days depending on temperature which, like other reptiles, also influences the sex of the hatchling. Nesting may occur successively, using the stored sperm.

Conservation status
Though the most abundant sea turtles, the olive ridley has suffered population loss as a result of hunting for the skin and meat of the nesting females and stealing of their eggs. They are listed as Endangered by the IUCN.