Lepidochelys olivacea 

Shell length: 50-70 cm [3]

Play an important role in the economy as a tourist attraction. Its eggs are collected for consumption.

The nesting population of this marine turtle in the Peninsular is very small. A low number of nests is recorded annually in Terengganu, Pahang, Perak, Penang, Sabah and Sarawak. [2]

The olive ridley turtle is the smallest among the marine turtles. It weighs between 30-50 kg. Its carapace length is only 50-70cm. The carapace is made up of 5-9 pairs of costal scutes. Underneath, the margins are smooth with pores between inframarginal scutes. [3]

The carapace is dark olive green in color with a yellowish underside. [1] The head is relatively large compared with green and hawksbill. Male olive ridley has a long tail with heavy terminal nail. [5]

Olive Ridley is a carnivore, feeding mainly on shrimps, jellyfish, crabs and snails. [2] These turtles forage offshore in surface waters and can dive to depths of at least 150 meters (500 feet). [1]

The nesting season in Perak is from January to December (peak season: April-June). On the island of Penang, nesting occurs from August to February (peak season: November-December) and on the east coast of the Peninsular, nesting occurs from January to September (peak season: March-May). [2]

1. Olive Ridley. (n.d.). Retrieved June 6, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olive_Ridley

2. Abdul Salam, M.N. and Sharma, D.S.K. (1999). Integrated Coastal and Estuarine Area Management. Handbook 4: Marine Turtles & Terrapins. Kuala Lumpur: WWF Malaysia

3. Ong, J.E. and Gong, W.K. (2003). The Encyclopedia of Malaysia. Vol 6: The Seas. Kuala Lumpur: Archipelago Press