Nesting sites:

Tropical coastlines and islands across the world

Natural habitat:

Seas in topical, sub-tropical, and temperate regions

Weight:

250 kg

 

Carapace Length: 90-120 cm

Shape: Broad and egg shaped

Colour: Carapace is olive green in colour with dark spots or lines. Juvenile turtles have brownish stripes

Plastron: Yellowish

Shape of the head: One pair of prefrontal scales. Small nostrils

Limbs: Oar-shaped limbs with one nail on each limb

Food: Hatchlings are carnivorous till the first year and turn herbivorous thereafter. They feed on marine algae, grass, etc.

Breeding season: Throughout the year, mainly May-September

Eggs deposition time: Nocturnal

Frequency in a breeding season: 4-6 times

Duration between deposition of consecutive eggs: 10-14 days

Duration between two breeding seasons: 3-5 years

Number of eggs: 100-120

Incubation period: 45-70 days

 

Current status: The species is endangered due to the consumption of its eggs, destruction of breeding habitats, and slaughter of adult turtles. Protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972