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Anatomy of the Olive Ridley Turtle
| | The Olive Ridley is a small, hard-shelled sea turtle. With a weight around 45-50 kg (just over 100 lbs) and a length upto 65 cm (about 2 feet), it's one of the smallest of the sea turtles. The size and morphology of the olive ridley varies from region to region.
The carapace of eastern Pacific olive ridleys is greater in height than other populations. Western Atlantic olive ridleys usually have a darker coloration than eastern Pacific olive ridleys. |  |  | Juvenile and adult Olive Ridleys have a wide carapace, similar to the Kemp's Ridley turtle. The head is relatively large compared to other sea turtles, but is smaller than that of adult the loggerhead turtle, and slightly smaller than that of Kemp's Ridley turtle. Carapace nearly round: 6 - 9 costal scutes, number may be asymmetrical. Male Olive Ridleys can be distinguished from females by their tails, which stick out beyond their carapace. |  | | Source: | | Despite what many believes the Olive Ridley turtle can't withdraw their heads into their shells. The shell gives good protection against predators. for protection the head and neck has thick scaly skin. |
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