Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle

Lepidochelys kempii — Cheloniidae

23–27.5 inches

IUCN

Critically Endangered

Federal (US)

Endangered

Virginia

Endangered

VWAP Tier

Tier Ia

Habitat

marine

Found in Virginia

Coastal plain

How to identify

Small for a sea turtle, 23–27.5 inches
Nearly circular, gray-olive carapace
Five pairs of costal scutes
Triangular head with hooked beak
Marine habitat only

About this species

The world's most endangered sea turtle, the Kemp's ridley is a small, gray-olive sea turtle that forages in Virginia's coastal waters and the Chesapeake Bay. They are particularly vulnerable to cold-stunning in autumn and are frequently stranded on Virginia beaches. Any stranded Kemp's ridley is a conservation emergency.

Often confused with

Loggerhead Sea Turtle

Loggerheads are larger, reddish-brown, and have a more elongated oval shell; Kemp's ridleys are smaller and gray with a nearly round shell

Did you know

"Kemp's ridley sea turtles nest almost exclusively on a single beach in Tamaulipas, Mexico — making the entire species dangerously dependent on one location."

SERC rehabilitation notes Federally endangered. If stranded, contact VAST immediately at 757-385-7575. Do not move without authorization.

Sightings & citizen science

Help document Virginia wildlife by logging your sightings on iNaturalist. Every observation builds the conservation data that researchers and rehabbers depend on.

View Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle observations on iNaturalist ↗

Found one injured?

If you've found an injured or displaced Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle in Virginia, our triage guide walks you through what to do.

Triage guide →