Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle

The Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) is considered the most endangered sea turtle species.

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It is one of two marine turtles with a limited geographical range, breeding along the Gulf of Mexico along the Northern Mexico and Southern Texas shores. It forages along the Atlantic Coast of the United States.

Ridley breeding habits make them vunerable to drastic population drops. Both the Olive Ridely and Kemp's Ridley species exhibit centralized mating and nesting practices called arribadas.

Because females typically move, en masse, to a central nesting ground, any environmental threat to the breeding or nesting ground poses a threat to the entire population.

It is listed as endangered throughout its range. The National Marine Fisheries Service notes a slight recovery in population levels over the past few years.

© 2007. Patricia A. Michaels