Olive
Ridley Turtle- Lepidochelys oliveacea
Olive Ridley’s are the most abundant
of all sea turtles. They measure around two feet in length
and have small heads and small olive gray shells. They weigh
between 70 to 100 pounds. They lay their eggs on beaches
in masses estimated at as many as 13000 turtles at a time.
It is reported that large numbers die in illegally laid
fishing nets during nesting.
They mostly eat marine invertebrates such
as shrimps, crabs, mussels, clams, sea urchins, squid and
jellyfish. They use their strong jaws to crush and grind
their food. When feeding, these turtles can dive up to 550
feet. They migrate thousands of miles in the course of a
year.
Loggerhead
Sea Turtle - Caretta caretta
Loggerhead turtles can be identified by their
unusually large head. Reddish brown on the top and yellowish-brown
underneath, their carapace or top shell is heart-shaped.
Hatchlings are dark brown in color. When mature, loggerheads
can weigh between 200 and 400 pounds and reach 32 to 41
inches in length.
Marine invertebrates such as crabs, clams,
mollusks, sea urchins, fish and sponges make up the carnivorous
Loggerhead’s diet. Like all of the sea turtles, they
lack teeth so they crush their prey with their powerful
beak before swallowing it.
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