What's New :
Target PT - Prelims Classes 2025. Visit Here
22nd April 2023 (7 Topics)

1 Crore Olive Ridley Turtles Hatch On Odisha Coast

Context

At least 1 crore baby Olive Ridley turtles hatched on the Odisha coast in the last few days. It is expected that around 2 crores more baby turtles will hatch on Odisha's coast before the culmination of this year’s breeding season.

About Olive Ridley Turtles:

  • They are the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles found in the world.
  • Major nesting sites in India: Rushikulya rookery coast (Odisha), Gahirmatha beach (Bhitarkanika National Park), and mouth of the Debi River.
  • Scientific name: Lepidochelys olivacea; also known as the Pacific ridley sea turtle.
  • Presence: Found in warm waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans.
  • Conservation Status
    • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
    • Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
    • CITES Appendix I 
  • Features:
    • Known for their unique mass nesting called Arribada, where thousands of females come together on the same beach to lay eggs. 
    • These are carnivores and feed mainly on jellyfish, shrimp
    • The eggs hatch in 45 to 60 days, depending on the temperature of the sand and atmosphere during the incubation period.

Breeding Season

  • Lakhs of Olive Ridley sea turtles usually congregate in the coastal sea of Odisha for breeding purposes every year.
  • It is believed that around 50 percent of the Olive Ridley turtles in the world visit the Odisha coast to lay eggs.
  • The breeding season of Olive Ridley turtles begins in November every year and concludes in May.
  • The turtles usually lay eggs on Odisha's coast between November and the second week of March. The baby turtles hatch in the months of April and May.

Verifying, please be patient.

Enquire Now