# Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle (*Lepidochelys kempii*) Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle is one of the smallest sea turtles. They are known for their unique nesting behavior and love to swim in warm waters. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Coastal waters and beaches - **Also known as:** Atlantic Ridley, Ridley Sea Turtle ![Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424815/objects/5638.jpg) ## Appearance The Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle is the smallest sea turtle, featuring a distinctive rounded or heart-shaped, olive-gray to greenish-gray shell. Its underside, or plastron, is a pale yellow-white, setting it apart from darker-bellied relatives. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Testudines - **Order:** Testudines - **Family:** Cheloniidae - **Genus:** Lepidochelys ## Interesting facts - Female turtles often return to their own birth beach to lay eggs! - It's the only sea turtle species that consistently nests during the daytime! - Named after Richard M. Kemp, who first discovered and studied the species! - Their tiny hatchlings are only about the size of a quarter! ## Special abilities - **Synchronized Nesters:** Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle can nest in huge groups called 'arribadas' that helps them overwhelm predators. - **Crab Crusher Jaws:** Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle has powerful jaws and a strong bite that helps them crush the shells of crabs and clams. - **Coastal Navigator:** Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle can navigate shallow, often murky coastal waters to find food and nesting sites. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 50-70 cm - **Weight:** 30-50 kg - **Lifespan:** 30-50 years - **Speed:** 24 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 3 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 50-200 - **Incubation:** 45-70 days - **Maximum Depth:** 100 m ## Diet & Feeding These turtles love to crunch on crabs and other tasty crustaceans found in shallow waters! - **Primary Foods:** Crabs, Shrimp, Mollusks, Jellyfish, Sea urchins - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Tiger Shark](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tiger-shark) (*Galeocerdo cuvier*) — Large sharks are significant predators of adult turtles. - **Eaten by:** [Herring Gull](https://www.snappit.app/explore/herring-gull) (*Larus argentatus*) — Gulls frequently prey on vulnerable hatchlings running to the sea. - **Shelter:** Floating Seaweed (*Sargassum natans*) — Young turtles hide in sargassum beds for protection and food. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Armored](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/armored): Armored describes animals protected by a hard, external covering or shell for defense. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle? Compare shell shape, shell markings, head stripes and the shape of the feet. Wear, age and algae can hide shell patterns. Turtle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle? 50-70 cm ### How much does Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle weigh? 30-50 kg ### How long does Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle live? 30-50 years ### How fast can Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle move? 24 km/h ### What does Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle eat? These turtles love to crunch on crabs and other tasty crustaceans found in shallow waters! ### How fast can Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle swim? 3 km/h ### Where is Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle usually found? Coastal waters and beaches ## Where to spot - [Texas State Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/texas-state-aquarium) — Texas, US · Zoo - [Marineland of Florida](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/marineland-of-florida) — Florida, US · Aquarium ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/kemp-s-ridley-sea-turtle)