Published: 27th Apr, 2023
Context
At least 1 crore baby Olive Ridley turtles hatched on Odisha coast in last few days. It is expected that around 2 crore more baby turtles will hatch on Odisha 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 watersof the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
- Schedule I of 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 per cent of the Olive Ridley turtles in the world visit 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 coast in between November and second week of March. The baby turtles hatch in the months of April and May.
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