Nesting sites:
Tropical coastlines across the world
Natural habitat:
Seas in topical, sub-tropical, and temperate regions
Weight:
500 kg
Carapace Length: 140-170 cm
Shape: Oval shaped with leathery skin, with seven longitudinal ridges on the carapace. The upper jaw is triangular and forked
Colour: The carapace is dark brown with white spots, or black
Limbs: Front limbs are long and oar-shaped without nails
Plastron: Faint in colour and smaller in shape than the carapace, with five longitudinal ridges
Food: Physalia and other invertebrate animals
Breeding season: May-August
Egg deposition time: Nocturnal
Frequency in a breeding season: 4-6 times
Duration between deposition of consecutive eggs: 9-10 days
Duration between two breeding seasons: 2-3 years
Number of eggs: 80-100
Incubation period: 61-66 days
Current status: The species is endangered due to the consumption of its eggs, destruction of breeding habitats, slaughter of adult turtles for oil extraction, and for other reasons. Protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
