Texas Gulf Coast Fishing

Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle

Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle Lepidochelys kempii

The Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle is considered an endangered species.

Distribution: Their range includes the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico; although they prefer the waters of Louisiana.
Description: The almost circular carapace has a grayish green color while the plastron (bottom shell) is pale yellowish to cream in color. The carapace is often as wide as it is long and contains 5 pairs of costal "scutes". Each of the front flippers has one claw while the back flippers may have one or two.
Size: The Kemp's Ridley is the smallest living sea turtle species, reaching maturity at less than 3 ft. long and averaging only 100 lbs.
Diet: Algae, Sea Urchins, Crabs, Shrimp, Jellyfish, Clams, Fish, and Snails
Remarks: Kemp's Ridleys display one of the most unique synchronized nesting habits in the natural world. Large groups of Kemp's Ridleys gather off a particular nesting beach near Rancho Nuevo, Mexico, in the state of Tamaulipas. Then wave upon wave of females come ashore and nest in what is known as an "arribada," which means "arrival" in Spanish. Some land on Padre Island in Texas to lay their eggs as well.