The olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), also known as the Pacific ridley sea turtle,

are the second smallest[3] and most abundant of all sea turtles found in the world;
this species of sea turtle is found in warm and tropical waters, primarily in the Pacific and Indian
Oceans. They can also be found in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean.[4]
These turtles, along with the related Kemps ridley turtle, are best known for their unique mass
nesting called arribada, where thousands of females come together on the same beach to lay
eggs.[3]

Contents

 1Taxonomy
 2Description
 3Distribution
o 3.1Nesting grounds
o 3.2Foraging grounds
 4Ecology and behavior
o 4.1Reproduction
o 4.2Habitat
o 4.3Feeding
o 4.4Threats
 5Economic importance
 6Conservation status
 7References
 8External links

Taxonomy[edit]
The olive ridley was first described as Testudo mydas minor, Suckhow, 1798. It was later
renamed Chelonian olivacea, Eschscholtz, 1829, and eventually Lepidochelys olivacea Fitzinger,
1843.[5] Because Eschscholtz was the first to propose the specific epithet olivacea, though, he
was credited with the valid name Lepidochelys olivacea Eschscholtz, 1829.
The genus name is derived from the Greek words lepidos, meaning scale, and chelys, which
translates to turtle. This could possibly be a reference to the supernumerary costal scute counts
characteristic of this genus.[6] The etymology of the English vernacular name "olive" is somewhat
easier to resolve, as its carapace is olive green in color.[7] However, the origin of "ridley" is still
somewhat unclear, perhaps derived from "riddle".[8] Lepidochelys is the only genus of sea turtles
containing more than one extant species: L. olivacea and the closely related L. kempii (Kemp's
ridley).[9]