SEA TURTLE SPECIES – Kemp's Ridleys

SEA TURTLE SPECIES – Kemp’s Ridleys, Lepidochelys kempii

The Kemp’s ridley sea turtle is another species that you may see in South Florida waters. They are by far the smallest sea turtle species, only getting up to around 100 pounds as adults and can reach up to almost 2 feet in length.

While we may get a few nests each year on the West Coast of Florida, most of their nesting in the U.S. occurs in Texas. However, 95% of Kemp’s ridleys nest on beaches in northeastern Mexico.

When they do nest, it is quite the sight to see. Being daytime nesters isn’t the only thing that makes these turtles unique. They also have synchronized nesting events, called Arribadas, where thousands of turtles will crawl up at the same time to nest.

TURTELY COOL KEMP’S RIDLEY FACTS

Nest in “arribadas”, where thousands of females nest over a few days’ time
Jaws are triangular with a hooked beak designed for consuming crabs
Enjoy eating, fish, jellies, mollusks, etc.
Inhabit nearshore habitats

Unfortunately, the Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are critically endangered according to the IUCN Red List. Kemp’s ridleys are endemic to the Gulf of Mexico and Northwest Atlantic, meaning that is the only place they are found in the world, which means that their declining populations cannot be supported by turtles coming in from other areas.