The Olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), also known as the Pacific Ridley, is one of the smallest species of sea turtle. It is named for the olive-green color of its heart-shaped shell. These lightly-built turtles have an average weight just over 46 kilograms (100 lb). They have a high-domed shell, with a carapace length of only 76 centimetres (30 in). The Olive Ridley is the most common type of sea turtles found in waters of India. Their habitat mainly includes the shallow coastal waters of India on the eastern seaboard. Of the eight species of sea turtles found worldwide, five occur in Indian coastal waters. A major nesting ground for the species is in the Indian state of Orrisa. Olive Ridleys are also common in other parts of India which lie along the seashore of the Bay of Bengal.
