🌿Native Nature

Olive Ridley Sea Turtle

Lepidochelys olivacea

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia ›Phylum: Chordata ›Class: Reptilia ›Order: Testudines ›Family: Cheloniidae ›Genus: Lepidochelys

About

The olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), also known as the Pacific ridley sea turtle, are the second smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles found in the world; this species of sea turtle is found in warm and tropical waters, primarily in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. They can also be found in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the scientific name of Olive Ridley Sea Turtle?
The scientific name of Olive Ridley Sea Turtle is Lepidochelys olivacea.
What is the conservation status of Olive Ridley Sea Turtle?
The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle has a conservation status of Vulnerable.
What kingdom does Olive Ridley Sea Turtle belong to?
Olive Ridley Sea Turtle belongs to the kingdom Animalia.
What phylum does Olive Ridley Sea Turtle belong to?
Olive Ridley Sea Turtle belongs to the phylum Chordata.
What class does Olive Ridley Sea Turtle belong to?
Olive Ridley Sea Turtle belongs to the class Reptilia.
What order does Olive Ridley Sea Turtle belong to?
Olive Ridley Sea Turtle belongs to the order Testudines.
What family does Olive Ridley Sea Turtle belong to?
Olive Ridley Sea Turtle belongs to the family Cheloniidae.
What genus does Olive Ridley Sea Turtle belong to?
Olive Ridley Sea Turtle belongs to the genus Lepidochelys.

In the News

In historic first, tropical turtles spotted nesting on California beaches

What caused the turtles to begin nesting farther north than usual is the ‘million dollar question’ A sea turtle crawled out of the surf in southern California last weekend around sunset and started laying eggs in the sand. People on Huntington Beach who saw the female olive ridley sea turtle were shocked and excited. And they weren’t the only ones freaking out, said Justin Viezbicke, the California stranding coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (Noaa). Continue reading...

The Guardian Environment · 9/24/2026

On a Philippine beach, villagers are stepping up to save sea turtle nests

Beaches in San Vicente municipality in the Philippines’ Palawan province are crucial nesting grounds for olive ridley sea turtles. But the turtles and their babies face perilous journeys on those beaches — from dogs, tourism, and increasingly severe storms and high tides. To counter these threats, the NGO Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines (LAMAVE) […]

Mongabay · 8/6/2026