Lepidochelys kempii

Behavior:

The Kemp’s Ridley is the rarest and most endangered species of sea turtle in the world. It is also the smallest of all sea turtle species. Adults primarily live in the Gulf of Mexico, where they forage in water typically less than 165 feet (50 meters), although they are capable of diving much deeper. They feed primarily on crustaceans and mollusks, but they will also consume jellyfish, fish, algae/seaweed and sea urchins. Juveniles and subadults regularly migrate into the Atlantic Ocean, where their range extends to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and even as far north as Newfoundland, and south to Venezuela. There are even reports of Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles from northern Europe, the Mediterranean and the coast of Africa, from Morocco to Cameroon. This species is also occasionally known as the Atlantic ridley sea turtle.

Predators:

Adults are consumed by large sharks, such as tiger sharks and orcas (killer whales).

Did you know?

Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles reach sexual maturity at around 10 to 12 years of age. Nesting occurs from April to July mainly in just a few locations in Mexico, Texas and other locations along the Gulf Coast of the United States. This species is the only sea turtle to nest during the day.