Today I will be talking about the Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle! Named after Florida fisherman and naturalist, Richard Kemp, who helped in the discovery and study of them in the 1880s. The “Ridley” part of the name is still unknown. They grow to be about 2 feet in length and weigh up to 100 pounds. They are found in the shallow sandy waters of the Gulf of Mexico hunting for crabs, bivalves, jellyfish, and seaweed. Kemp’s Ridley are one of the few species known to nest during the day and in their “arribadas” (arrival) many females will flood beaches at the same time to nest. They can lay numerous clutches of eggs in one season and nest as often every 1-3 years. However, females aren’t sexually mature until about 10-12 years assuming they make it to be that old with all the factors that limit their chances of survival. Over the last century their eggs have been over harvested by people for consumption. Bycatch from large fishing practices and “ghost-fishing” also pose major threats. Floating trash has become a major factor in their extinction as they are currently listed as Critically Endangered, making them the most endangered sea turtle species! So please respect turtle nesting season when visiting beaches and please don’t cut your line when fishing! Do your do diligence to pick up any trash on the beach and remember to leave any natural area better than you found it! We are the problem, but we can also be the solution!!
Originally posted on 4 November 2018
(not my pictures)
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