The mass nesting of the Olive Ridley turtles has finally began in Puducherry coastline. Though, the traditional migration season of the turtles has delayed possibly due to climate change or change in the climatic conditions because of the influence of Cyclones Nivar and Burevi. Now, the female Olive Ridley turtles are leaving hundreds of eggs at nesting spots. So far, the team has collected over 4,000 eggs.
Key Facts
-
Puducherry coastline is among the migratory route to Odisha which are used by these turtles.
-
The coastline is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
The Olive Ridley
The scientific name of the turtle is Lepidochelys olivacea. It is commonly known as Pacific ridley sea turtle. The species belongs to the family Cheloniidae. It is second smallest and most abundant among all the sea turtles found across the world. The turtles are found in warm and tropical waters. It is primarily found in Pacific and Indian Oceans. It is also found in the warm waters of Atlantic Ocean.
Characteristics
These turtles are best known for their unique mass nesting. The mass nesting is termed as arribada. In the process, the female turtles come together in huge number on the same beach and lay eggs. They lay their eggs in conical nests which is one and a half feet deep. The nests are laboriously dig by the turtles with their hind flippers. These turtles are carnivorous and they prey on jellyfish, sea urchins, tunicates, snails, bryozoans, bivalves, crabs and shrimp etc.
Conservation
The turtles have been classified as vulnerable in the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). It is also listed in Appendix I of CITES. These listings have halted the large-scale commercial exploitation and trade of the skin of turtles.