Kemps ridley sea turtle

Meet the smallest and rarest sea turtle in the world

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region


Kemps ridley sea turtle

EXEWCRENVUNTLCDDNE

Meet the smallest and rarest sea turtle in the world

Population 7,000 – 9,000

The smallest and one of the most critically endangered sea turtle species in the world. These turtles possess a uniquely round carapace that is olive-green in color, complemented by a plastron (underside) that ranges from white to yellowish. Their hooked beaks are perfectly designed for catching prey, and their relatively large eyes enhance their hunting ability in the murky waters of their coastal habitats.

Kemp’s Ridleys favor shallow waters and are primarily found in the Gulf of Mexico and along the North American Atlantic coast. However, their migratory patterns are extensive, and they have been known to travel across the Atlantic Ocean, occasionally being spotted as far afield as Europe and Africa. Their diet is varied and mainly consists of crabs, which are abundant in their preferred coastal habitats, but they will also consume fish, mollusks, jellyfish, and occasionally seaweed.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle behavior is their synchronized nesting, known as arribada, a Spanish term meaning “arrival.” During these events, thousands of female turtles converge on beaches, such as the one in Rancho Nuevo, Mexico, in broad daylight to lay their eggs. This mass nesting strategy is thought to overwhelm predators, giving each individual egg a better chance of survival.

Despite the fascination and importance of this species, Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles face a multitude of threats. They are highly susceptible to the impacts of human activities, including entanglement in fishing gear, coastal development that encroaches on nesting sites, marine pollution, and climate change, which affects sand temperature and, consequently, hatchling sex ratios.

Distribution

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
Atlantic Ocean
2019
Gulf of Mexico
2019
Mediterranean Sea
2019
Bermuda
2019
Non-Breeding
Canada
2019
Breeding
France
2019
Non-Breeding
Ireland
2019
Non-Breeding
Mexico
2019
Portugal
2019
Non-Breeding
United Kingdom
2019
Non-Breeding
United States
2019

Anything we've missed?

Help us improve this page by suggesting edits. Glory never dies!

Suggest an edit

Get to know me

Terrestrial / Aquatic

Altricial / Precocial

Polygamous / Monogamous

Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic

Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd

Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

Migratory: Yes / No

Domesticated: Yes / No

Dangerous: Yes / No