Red Ear Sliders, Sea Turtles and Other Turtle Species
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Olive Ridley Turtle:
Lepidochelys Olivacea
| Size: The carapace
can range between 22 to 30 inches (55 to 75 cm) |
| Weight: Average nesting
females can weigh around 77 pounds (35 kg) |
| Habitat: Mainly found
foraging in shallow tropical waters over the continental
shelf |
| Food: Their menu consists
primarily of crabs and shrimp. However there have
been sessile and pelagic tunicates, jellyfish, and
fish eggs found in their diet also. |
The Olive Ridley sea turtle has been spotted in the
tropical regions of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian
Oceans. They are still considered to be widespread
although the nesting sites are being depleted by the
rise of human development on coastal properties. The
main threats are of the commercial harvest of adults,
incidental catch in shrimp trawls, and the harvesting
of their eggs. Females can lay between 105 and 115
eggs in each clutch. |
References: Groombridge, B. 1982. The IUCN
Amphibia Reptilia Red Data Book:
Testudines, Crocodylia, Rhynchocephalia. IUCN, Switzerland
Photo courtesy of NOAA
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Species
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