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Kemps Ridley Sea Turtle

Kemps Ridley Sea Turtle, Lepidochelys kempii
Source: https://bit.ly/2OC4Rdl Photo: Terry Ross CCL: https://bit.ly/1jxQJMa

Kemps Ridley Sea Turtle Facts

Souece: http://bit.ly/2D9uc71 Photo: Jereme Phillips, USFWS CCL: http://bit.ly/2xQPH8p

Kemps Ridley Sea Turtle Physical Description

Most notably, the carapace of the amazing Kemps Ridley Sea Turtle has a rather rounded shape. It also has an average diameter of about 24 in (61 cm). In addition, its maximum known weight is about 100 lb (45 kg).

Among adults, the upper carapace appears a mottled gray and green combination in color. The underside typically presents a pale yellow. Yet, the newly hatched young, extraordinarily, are predominantly a deep purple.

Further, the four flippers develop as quite powerful, making it an extremely fast swimmer, even among related species. Finally, no appreciable degree of sexual dimorphism appears to be present in the species.

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata:
  • Class: Reptilia
  • Order: Testudines
  • Family: Cheloniidae
  • Genus: Lepidochelys
  • Species: L. kempii
Source: http://bit.ly/2OzU8L4 Photo: National Park Service Public Domain Image

Kemps Ridley Sea Turtle Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Firstly, the awesome Kemps Ridley Sea Turtle primarily inhabits the Gulf of Mexico. Among similar marine species, this is a rather small range. However, individuals have also reached as far north as Nova Scotia.

Within that range, it solely inhabits the neritic zone where it prefers areas close to shore, with depths of 160 ft (49 m) or less. This creature often inhabits regions of red mangrove, as well.

Additionally, most adult individuals primarily feed on snails, shrimp, and spider crabs. Its natural predators (aside from humans) include foxes, raccoons, weasels, and dogs, obviously, while onshore.

It also remains rather highly migratory by nature as well. This turtle also displays a highly specialized breeding behavior, for which it is rather popular. More than 95% of all breeding females migrate to one beach, in Tamaulipas, Mexico (the one they were hatched on) to lay their eggs….all together.

Species Sharing Its Range

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