At a glance
- IUCN category
- CR · Critically Endangered
- Animal group
- Reptiles & Amphibians
- Population trend
- Trend unknown
- Last verified
Conservation overview
Kemp's ridley is the smallest and one of the most endangered sea turtles, assessed as Critically Endangered.
It is famous for synchronised mass nesting events called 'arribadas', where many females come ashore together.
Range & habitat
Mainly the Gulf of Mexico and the western Atlantic, nesting principally on the coast of Mexico.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Bycatch in fishing gear
- Past egg collection
- Coastal development and pollution
Why it matters
As the most endangered sea turtle, Kemp's ridley is a focus of international nesting-beach protection and efforts to make fisheries turtle-safe.
Sources
Sources for Kemp's Ridley Turtle
- IUCN Red List — look up Kemp's Ridley Turtle (authoritative status)
- NOAA Fisheries
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an 'arribada'?
It is a synchronised mass-nesting event in which large numbers of female ridley turtles come ashore to lay eggs at the same time — a remarkable but vulnerable spectacle.
Why is Kemp's ridley Critically Endangered?
Published assessments cite bycatch in fishing gear, past egg collection, and coastal threats. See the IUCN Red List for the current assessment.
Last updated: