Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle
Lepidochelys kempii · Also known as: Kemp’s ridley
World’s most endangered sea turtle and an occasional Mid-Atlantic visitor. Cold-stunned juveniles sometimes strand in fall/winter events.
Quick facts
| Group | Sea turtle |
|---|---|
| Likelihood nearby | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Habitats | Offshore / ocean, Ocean beach, Assateague National Seashore |
| Seasons (this coast) | summer, fall |
How to recognize them
- Smallest sea turtle; rounded gray-olive carapace; triangular head.
Biology notes
- Primarily Gulf of Mexico nester; juveniles use Atlantic coastal waters.
- Cold-stunning events can push weakened turtles onto Mid-Atlantic beaches.
Where to see them around Ocean City
- Rare at sea off Ocean City / Assateague; more often encountered as strandings handled by responders.
When to look
- Warm months offshore; stranding risk rises with abrupt cold snaps.
Viewing tips & etiquette
- Never “help” a stranded turtle into the water—report it so rehabbers can respond.
Conservation
- Critically endangered; every live stranding response matters.
