How to Identify Kemp Ridley Sea Turtles
Kemp's Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) is the rarest species of sea turtle. The total population had dropped to about 1,000 by the mid 1980s and the species seemed likely to become extinct. The Kemp's Ridley sea turtle population has recovered considerably since then. The following steps will show how to identify Kemp Ridley sea turtles.
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Instructions
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Observe their appearance. The Kemp's Ridley sea turtle is the smallest species of sea turtle and adults average only 100 lbs. The broad carapace is heart-shaped with ridged scales and at least five pairs of lateral scutes.
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Consider the unusual distribution of the Kemp's Ridley sea turtle. Their range is the Atlantic Ocean, but virtually all females in this species lay their eggs on the Rancho Nuevo beach in Tamaulipas, Mexico, each year.
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Look at the color change of this sea turtle throughout its life cycle. The hatchlings are almost completely dark gray or black but fade as they reach maturity. Adults have a gray to green carapace with a yellow-green to white plastron.
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Find Kemp's Ridley sea turtles by red mangrove swamps along subtropical shores or estuarine waters. Adults are usually found in the Gulf of Mexico but juveniles are spread along the Atlantic coast.
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Examine the diet of the Kemp's Ridley sea turtle. They use their specially shaped beak to break the shells of spider crabs and other crustaceans such as sea stars, shrimp and snails. They also eat marine plants occasionally.
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