Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle

Considered one of the smallest sea turtles, Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles are also the most endangered. Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles were believed to be severely impacted by the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Other threats include getting caught in fishing trawls and nets. Good news for Louisiana, however, these small reptiles were recently observed nesting on the Chandeleur Islands for the first time in 75 years! The turtles are often found in estuarine and offshore waters in the Gulf of Mexico. Babies spend 2 to 10 years in the open ocean, then return to the shore to develop into adulthood. The turtles are rarely found in deeper, open ocean and can live between 30 to 50 years. The turtles have been listed as endangered since 1970 and are currently internationally listed as critically endangered.