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Home > Turtles > Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle

Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle

Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle, one of two surviving species in the genus Lepidochelys, is found in Mexico and the United States. This rare species is the smallest sea turtle in the world.



    Kingdom Animalia
    Phylum Chordata
    Class Reptilia
    Order Testudines
    Suborder Cryptodira
    Clade Americhelydia
    Family Cheloniidae
    Genus Lepidochelys
    Scientific Name Lepidochelys kempii


    Other Names Atlantic Ridley Sea Turtle
    Size Up to 75 cm (30 in)
    Weight Up to 50 kg (110 lb)
    Color Olive-gray upper shell with a creamy-white underside
    Distribution Mexico, United States
    Habitat Shallow inshore waters close to the coast
    Diet Mollusks, crustaceans, jellyfish, crabs, fish,  algae, sea urchins
    Hibernation Fact Hibernates in winter
    Predators Adults are preyed upon by coyotes, skunks, and raccoons while hatchlings fall prey to ghost crabs, gulls, and other sea birds
    Breeding Season April to August; reaching peak in May and June
    Mode of Reproduction Oviparous (egg laying)
    Clutch Size Around 110 eggs
    Incubation Period 45 to 70 days
    Reproductive Age 10 to 12 years of age
    Average Lifespan May live for 30 years and perhaps up to 50 years
    IUCN Conservation Status Critically Endangered

    Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Pictures Gallery

    Published on August 26th 2017 by under Turtles. Article was last reviewed on 14th June 2019.

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