Back

Scientific Name: Lepidochelys olivacea

Specie description

Presents a curvilinear bony shell with 6-8 pairs of non-overlapping side plates in a greyish green coloration. The distinctive feature between males and females is the tail, in the male it is long, extending beyond the shell.

Size: On average 72 cm in length and 45 kg in weight.

Lifespan: No more than 100 years.

Sexual maturity: Generally between 6 and 7 years.

Nutrition: Preferably feeds on fish and invertebrates such as jellyfish, snails, shrimps and crabs.

Breeding: Place on average 120 eggs per nest that are incubated for about 49 days, nest 1-3 times per season.

Occurrence: Migratory species, found in tropical and subtropical seas.

Conservation Status (Angola): Vulnerable (VU).

Conservation Status (IUCN): Vulnerable (VU).