Species · GBIF taxon 2442165
Kemp's Ridley
Lepidochelys kempiiAlso known as Atlantic Ridley, Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle, Atlantic Ridley Sea Turtle
Kemp's ridley sea turtles are the smallest and most endangered sea turtles in the world, famous for their synchronized mass nesting events called arribadas. They navigate the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic coast, using their powerful jaws to crush crabs and other hard-shelled prey. Rising ocean temperatures draw them further north, leaving them increasingly vulnerable to sudden cold-stunning events in late autumn.
MarineEndangeredMigratory
Licensed referenceU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Critically EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXCritically EndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Blue Crabs
- Jellyfish
- Mollusks
Predators
- Sharks
- Coyotes
- Ghost Crabs
ThreatsBycatch in fishing gear, coastal development, oil spills, and climate-induced cold-stunning
HabitatsShallow coastal waters, bays, estuaries, and open ocean
Life span30 to 50 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCheloniidae
- SpeciesLepidochelys kempii
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Capable of delivering a powerful bite if cornered; observe from a safe distance on nesting beaches.
- What to notice
- Look for a nearly circular, olive-green carapace and a relatively small size compared to other sea turtles.
- Support conservation
- Never touch nesting females or hatchlings, and avoid using flashlights or flash photography on nesting beaches.
Responsible observation
- Report Strandings: Contact local wildlife authorities immediately if you find a cold-stunned or injured turtle.
- Keep Distance: Maintain at least 50 yards of space from nesting females to avoid disrupting them.
- Minimize Light: Turn off beachside lights during nesting season to prevent disorienting hatchlings.
Co-occurring Species "Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta)" by brian.gratwicke is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Co-occurring Species (c) Paul Asman and Jill Lenoble, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Paul Asman and Jill Lenoble · cc-by
Primary Prey Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Bernard Gagnon, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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