# Olive ridley turtle

> A relatively small turtle that travels through open seas and returns to beaches to nest. Not every population performs its famous mass-nesting behaviour.

Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/olive-ridley-turtle/ · Updated 7 October 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/penyu-lekang/
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**Review status:** Approved by team on 2026-10-07. Approval covers this version’s narrative, facts, quick answers and recorded locations in both languages.

## Quick answer

The olive ridley turtle (*Lepidochelys olivacea*) is a marine animal in the family Cheloniidae. Range in Indonesia: Indonesian seas; nesting recorded in Gianyar, Bali (2022), and a stranding at Gili Air, West Nusa Tenggara (2025). Diet: eater of marine invertebrates (jellyfish, snails, shrimp, crabs); a carnivore. IUCN Red List status: Vulnerable. It is a legally protected species in Indonesia (Regulation P.106/2018).

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | *Lepidochelys olivacea* |
| Indonesian name | Penyu lekang |
| Group | Marine |
| Family | Cheloniidae |
| Range in Indonesia | Indonesian seas; nesting recorded in Gianyar, Bali (2022), and a stranding at Gili Air, West Nusa Tenggara (2025) |
| Shell | Olive to grey-green |
| Main habitat | Open ocean and coastal waters |
| Nesting | Solitary or mass nesting |
| IUCN status | Vulnerable · [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/2442153) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Legal protection in Indonesia | Protected · [Regulation P.106/2018](https://jdih.kehutanan.go.id/new2/uploads/files/P_106_2018_JENIS_TSL_menlhk_07252019152513.pdf) · annex no. 703 |
| Diet type | Carnivore (meat-eater) — eater of marine invertebrates (jellyfish, snails, shrimp, crabs) · [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Lepidochelys_olivacea/) |
| Reproduction | Laying eggs (oviparous) · [Reptile Database](https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Lepidochelys&species=olivacea) |
| Venom or poison | Not venomous, but can cause poisoning if eaten · [Pavlin et al. 2015, Mass poisoning after consumption of a hawksbill turtle, Federated States of Micronesia, 2010 (Western Pac Surveill Response J)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4444492/) |
| Observance days | [World Turtle Day (23 May)](https://panduanhewan.org/en/animal-days-calendar/#world-turtle-day) |

## Recognising an olive ridley

Olive ridleys have rounded, heart-shaped shells coloured olive to grey-green. The number of side plates can vary. Because turtle features can be confusing, use a reliable identification guide without pursuing or handling an animal.

Evidence: [NOAA Fisheries — Olive ridley turtle](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/olive-ridley-turtle)

## A life largely at sea

Olive ridleys use open-ocean as well as coastal waters. They eat varied foods, including invertebrates. Their connection to land is most visible during nesting, but much of their life depends on waters far from the beach where visitors stand.

Evidence: [SEE Turtles — Olive ridley turtles](https://www.seeturtles.org/olive-ridley-turtles)

## Arribadas do not occur on every beach

An arribada is synchronised mass nesting at selected beaches; many olive ridleys also nest alone. KKP documented a female nesting in Gianyar, Bali, in 2022, not an arribada. Images of mass nesting abroad do not establish the same pattern in Indonesia; check location and season.

Evidence: [NOAA Fisheries — Olive ridley turtle](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/olive-ridley-turtle) · [KKP / BPSPL Denpasar — Olive ridley nesting observations in Gianyar, Bali (2022)](https://kkp.go.id/djprl/kkp-bersama-saba-asri-turtle-center-lakukan-pendataan-pendaratan-penyu-di-bali65c2ece57aacc/detail.html)

## Release alone does not resolve threats

Accidental capture and egg collection put pressure on olive ridleys. SEE Turtles also highlights damage to nesting beaches. Hatchlings released do not equal adult turtles recovered; long-term outcomes must be assessed alongside habitat protection and threats at sea.

Evidence: [SEE Turtles — Olive ridley turtles](https://www.seeturtles.org/olive-ridley-turtles)

## Strandings need professional reporting

BKKPN Kupang’s 22 April 2025 Gili Air report says the olive ridley had died before discovery; propeller injury was suspected, not established through a reported necropsy. The case demonstrates public reporting, not a live rescue or guaranteed service. Report sightings from a safe distance using the marine-stranding guide.

Evidence: [KKP BKKPN Kupang — Gili Air stranding response, 2025](https://ppid.kkp.go.id/upt/balai-pengelolaan-kelautan-kupang/news/detail/bkkpn-kupang-lakukan-respon-cepat-penyu-lekang-terdampar-di-gili-air/)

## Scientific classification of the Olive ridley turtle

| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Testudines |
| Family | Cheloniidae |
| Genus | *Lepidochelys* |
| Species | *Lepidochelys olivacea* |

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Common questions about the olive ridley turtle

### What is the scientific name of the olive ridley turtle?

The scientific name of the olive ridley turtle is *Lepidochelys olivacea*, in the family Cheloniidae. In Indonesian it is called Penyu lekang.

### What kind of animal is the olive ridley turtle?

The olive ridley turtle is a marine animal in the family Cheloniidae. By diet it is a carnivore (meat-eater): a eater of marine invertebrates (jellyfish, snails, shrimp, crabs).

### Where does the olive ridley turtle live in Indonesia?

In Indonesia, this guide records the olive ridley turtle in: Indonesian seas; nesting recorded in Gianyar, Bali (2022), and a stranding at Gili Air, West Nusa Tenggara (2025).

### What does the olive ridley turtle eat?

The olive ridley turtle is a eater of marine invertebrates (jellyfish, snails, shrimp, crabs). That makes it a carnivore (meat-eater). Source: [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Lepidochelys_olivacea/).

### How does the olive ridley turtle reproduce?

The olive ridley turtle reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Source: [Reptile Database](https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Lepidochelys&species=olivacea).

### Is the olive ridley turtle poisonous?

Only if eaten. Sea turtles are not venomous, but eating turtle meat has caused fatal mass poisonings (chelonitoxism). Source: [Pavlin et al. 2015, Mass poisoning after consumption of a hawksbill turtle, Federated States of Micronesia, 2010 (Western Pac Surveill Response J)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4444492/).

Do not catch, handle or disturb wild animals. If bitten, stung or exposed to its toxins, go to the nearest health facility straight away.

### What is the scientific classification of the olive ridley turtle?

Scientific classification of the olive ridley turtle: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Reptilia, order Testudines, family Cheloniidae, genus *Lepidochelys*, species *Lepidochelys olivacea*.

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c), adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.

### Is the olive ridley turtle endangered?

Yes. On the IUCN Red List, the olive ridley turtle is listed as Vulnerable: it is considered to face a high risk of extinction in the wild. Source: [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/2442153), checked 1 October 2026.

This global category is separate from national legal protection. [Is the olive ridley turtle protected in Indonesia?](#protected)

### Is the olive ridley turtle protected in Indonesia?

Yes. The olive ridley turtle (*Lepidochelys olivacea*) is a protected species in Indonesia under [Environment and Forestry Ministerial Regulation No. P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 on protected plant and animal species](https://jdih.kehutanan.go.id/new2/uploads/files/P_106_2018_JENIS_TSL_menlhk_07252019152513.pdf) (annex, entry 703).

It is also fully protected under Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministerial Decree No. 66 of 2025 on protected fish species (first provision, entry 41).

Article 21(2) of Law No. 5 of 1990, as amended by Law No. 32 of 2024, prohibits anyone from hunting, catching, injuring, killing, storing, owning, keeping, transporting or trading a protected animal, alive or dead, including its body parts, eggs and nests.

If you see this animal being traded, kept or injured, contact the [local BKSDA office](https://panduanhewan.org/en/bksda-offices/).

### Can the olive ridley turtle be kept as a pet?

No. Because the olive ridley turtle is a protected species, catching, owning, keeping, transporting or trading it without a permit is prohibited by law. Trading without a permit through electronic media is also prohibited.

If you see this animal for sale or being kept, report it to the [local BKSDA office](https://panduanhewan.org/en/bksda-offices/).

## Sources & references

1. [NOAA Fisheries — Olive ridley turtle](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/olive-ridley-turtle)
2. [SEE Turtles — Olive ridley turtles](https://www.seeturtles.org/olive-ridley-turtles)
3. [KKP BKKPN Kupang — Gili Air stranding response, 2025](https://ppid.kkp.go.id/upt/balai-pengelolaan-kelautan-kupang/news/detail/bkkpn-kupang-lakukan-respon-cepat-penyu-lekang-terdampar-di-gili-air/)
4. [KKP / BPSPL Denpasar — Olive ridley nesting observations in Gianyar, Bali (2022)](https://kkp.go.id/djprl/kkp-bersama-saba-asri-turtle-center-lakukan-pendataan-pendaratan-penyu-di-bali65c2ece57aacc/detail.html)
5. [Peraturan Menteri LHK Nomor P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi](https://jdih.kehutanan.go.id/new2/uploads/files/P_106_2018_JENIS_TSL_menlhk_07252019152513.pdf)
6. [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Lepidochelys_olivacea/)
7. [Reptile Database](https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Lepidochelys&species=olivacea)
8. [Pavlin et al. 2015, Mass poisoning after consumption of a hawksbill turtle, Federated States of Micronesia, 2010 (Western Pac Surveill Response J)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4444492/)
9. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Further reading

[Sea turtle: facts, threats and conservation](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/sea-turtle/) — World Animal Rescue Network. A broader overview that covers this animal.

_Related site: PanduanHewan’s founder is also a director of World Animal Rescue Network._

## Keep exploring

- [Hawksbill turtle](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/hawksbill-turtle/)
- [Green turtle](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/green-turtle/)
- [Gili Eco Trust](https://panduanhewan.org/en/organisations/gili-eco-trust/)
- [Finding a Stranded Marine Animal](https://panduanhewan.org/en/emergency/stranded-marine-animal/)

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Cite: PanduanHewan. (2026). Olive ridley turtle. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/olive-ridley-turtle/