The Kemp's ridley is the most seriously endangered sea turtle and among
the most highly endangered species of the world. Although these unique
turtles hatch in Mexico, and primarily inhabit southern waters, many
juveniles travel up the warm current of the Gulf Stream to Long Island's
waters each summer.
Unlike other sea turtles, female Kemp's ridley turtles come ashore to lay
their eggs in the daylight hours. Also unique to their behavior, all females
nest in large numbers at the same time (called an "arribada"), only once a
year, at the same location. Only one nesting beach is known in the entire
world along the Gulf of Mexico coast. They often crawl over one another to
nest and their frantic digging can create a small sandstorm along the entire
beach.
Much of the historical information on the nesting of these interesting
animals comes from a single film made in the 1940's which shows
approximately 45,000 females at the single nesting beach. Since then these
numbers have declined drastically. As of 1990 the annual count of females
returning to the one nesting beach was under 300 individuals! This number
has risen in recent years to an estimated 400 - 500. Local residents, and
wild and domestic predators have swarmed to this beach for years to harvest
the plentiful eggs. Commercial shrimping and fishing has also contributed to
this turtle's decline as animals become entrapped and drown. Efforts to save
the ridley include modifying fishing gear to avoid their drowning, armed
guards at the nesting site in Mexico and increased research on their biology
and behavior.
Kemp's ridleys are a drab, dark olive green color on top, and light
greenish underneath. Their large head has a prominent "beak" used to grab
and break up crabs, shellfish and other hard shelled prey. By far the
smallest sea turtle, ridleys reach 2 - 3 feet in length and up to 100 pounds
as adults. As only juveniles come into our waters, they are often referred
to as "dinner plate size," measuring about one foot in diameter and weighing
8 - 12 pounds.
