The Kemp’s ridley sea turtle is the smallest of all the sea turtle species, reaching only 2 feet in shell length and weighing up to only 100 pounds. They also have the smallest distribution of all the turtles, found primarily in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. They are the most endangered of all these reptiles and even though great measures have been taken to protect this species, their population is still struggling to rebound. In fact, these animals have a single beach as their only major breeding site in Rancho Nuevo, Mexico where they come onshore once a year by the thousands to nest; a phenomenon called arribadas.
Because of their small population, seeing one of them while scuba diving is a rare treat. They do like to spend most of their time in shallow waters where they cruise along the bottom feeding on their favorite food, crabs, and also other shellfish, jellyfish, and seaweed. Your best bet to dive with a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle is in these shallower areas of the Gulf of Mexico or to visit the beach of Rancho Nuevo where they do their nesting. Check out the map below to see where these popular areas of them are found.
