The Olive Ridley Turtle
Olive Ridley’s are the smallest existing turtles in the world. They got their name from the color of their 
heart-shaped shell. The shell is initially grey in color which becomes olive grey with age. The Olive Ridley’s are closely related to the Kemp’s Ridley. The only difference being that the former is found in warm waters.
Olive Ridley anatomy
The body weight of an Olive Ridley turtle ranges from 25 -45 kgs. Females weigh more than males. Young ones weigh somewhere between 12 to 24 grams. They are dark grey in color, but appear black when wet. They also have serrated posterior marginals, which become smooth with age. Juvenile Olive Ridleys possess three dorsal keels. Widely distributed throughout the tropics, highest densities are found in the Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal and eastern Pacific Ocean.
Olive Ridley nesting
Solitary in nature, the Olive Ridley turtles prefer the open ocean. They are famous for their arribada. Hundreds and thousands of them migrate every year in a group for the arribada, the peak nesting season occurring between September and December. They begin to accumulate near the nesting beaches around two months before the nesting season. Nesting events are essentially nocturnal; however diurnal nesting also takes place during large arribadas .Arribadas are popular sights in the Indian Ocean along the coast of Gahirmata in the Indian state of Orissa. Nesting also occurs along the Coromandel Coast and Sri Lanka.
Mating in olive ridleys
Mating usually takes place near the nesting beaches. The exact age of sexual maturity is not known. Females lay up to 3 clutches per season. The incubation period lasts for 45 to 51 days under natural conditions. Eggs incubated at 31-32 degrees Celsius produce only females and those incubated at 28 degrees produce solely females.
Habitat and diet
Widely distributed throughout the tropics, highest densities are found in the Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal and the eastern Pacific Ocean. Olive Ridley turtles are omnivorous and feed on crabs, shrimps, rock lobsters, algae, snails and small invertebrates. Some are known to consume jellyfish in shallow waters.
Predators
This aquatic creature is has many predators which include raccoons, feral dogs, pigs and sunbeam snakes. Vultures and other predatory birds feed on young turtles as well. Females are often afflicted by mosquitoes. Adults are sometimes attacked by sharks and killer whales while in water.
Threat
Other major threats include humans who often kill these animals for their hide and meat. Many turtles get killed due to boat collisions. Ghost nets, trawling and pot fishing have significantly affected the population of the turtles. Natural disasters, climate change, beach erosion also pose as a threat to these animals.
Economic importance
Time and again the Olive Ridley turtle has been exploited for food, leather, bait and other things. The meat is not considered to be a delicacy but eggs are esteemed everywhere. Egg harvesting has largely contributed to local economies, but still it is considered to be a threat.