Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle
Lepidochelys kempii
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- L. kempii – Gulf of Mexico – photo by Kate Simpson NOAA
DISTRIBUTION: In our region, Lepidochelys kempii occurs in the Gulf of Mexico off of the Texas Gulf Coast.
LEGAL STATUS: Lepidochelys kempii is listed as Endangered throughout its entire range under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA).
MEANING OF SCIENTIFIC NAME: Lepidochelys kempii (Garman – 1880)
Genus: Lepidochelys, Greek – lepido = scaled + chelys = turtle
Species: kempii, honors Richard M. Kemp
Ref. Ellen Beltz 2006
Ref. E. Jaeger 1962