Kemp Ridley Sea Turtle
About the Kemp Ridley Sea Turtle
The most endangered sea turtle in the world. Their population crashed from 40,000 nesting females to just 200 in the 1980s due to egg harvesting and shrimp trawling. TEDs (turtle excluder devices) in shrimp nets have helped them recover to about 7,000 nests. They are the smallest sea turtle species. They nest during the day, unique among sea turtles. Almost all nesting occurs on a single beach in Tamaulipas, Mexico. The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill killed an estimated 5,000 juveniles. They reach maturity at 10-15 years.
Related Species
Leatherback Sea Turtle
The deepest-diving reptile, reaching 1,280 meters. They have existed for 100 million years...
Green Sea Turtle
One of the largest sea turtles and the only herbivore among them. They can hold their brea...
Hawksbill Sea Turtle
Critical to reef health - they eat sponges that would otherwise smother coral. Their beaut...
Olive Ridley Sea Turtle
Famous for arribada - synchronized mass nesting where thousands of females come ashore tog...