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    Lepidochelys – Ridley sea turtles

    You’re a baby turtle with instincts to follow the moonlight. Now imagine you end up following the beach bar light

    Lepidochelans are the most abundant Olive ridley sea turtles and one of the most endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles. These turtles can grow to a length of 71 cm (28 in) and weigh up to 50 kg (110 lbs). The Kemp’s ridley turtles were on the brink of extinction in the 1960s, with their population as low as 300 breeding individuals. Still, the binational plan managed to take strict actions and formed policies to protect them, and now upwards of 8,000 breeding individuals are estimated to be present.

    These turtles are most famous for their mass nesting on beaches, laying their eggs on the beach, and returning to the sea. Their offspring emerge from inside the sand and follow the light to reach the seawater, but they are heavily preyed upon during that time.

    They often feed on small crabs, clams, fish, and other cephalopods, but the Olive Ridley turtles are famous for their jellyfish consumption.