a depression made by the female sea turtle on the sandy beach, during nesting. Shape and depth of the pit are generic characters. The pits made by the Ridley, Hawksbill and Flatback Turtles are shallow (a), while those of the Loggerhead, Green and Leatherback Turtles are medium to deep (b). Some turtles (e.g. Green Turtle) construct several body pits before they lay eggs.

Alternative form for body pit : body pits.