Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle Lepidochelys kempii (Garman, 1880)G1 (Highly globally rare)  -  Endangered (Federal)  -  Endangered (MD)  -  S1N (State rare non-breeder)    Synonyms: Atlantic Ridley Sea Turtle.
Kingdom Animalia   >   Phylum Chordata   >   Class Reptilia   >   Order Testudines   >   Family Cheloniidae   >   Genus Lepidochelys   

Status:

These turtles are uncommon visitors to our state in the summer months. In the Chesapeake Bay, Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles are sometimes observed feeding in eelgrass beds. Most of the Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles observed in our region are juveniles. No breeding occurs in Maryland. According to Maryland DNR, the lower Chesapeake Bay in the summer months has the highest concentration of juvenile Atlantic Ridley Sea Turtles in the world.

There are 15 records in the project database.

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A Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle (9/30/2010). Photo by USFWS Endangered Species. (MBP list)

An Atlantic Ridley Sea Turtle hatchling (9/30/2010). Photo by USFWS Endangered Species. (MBP list)

Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles released by National Aquarium in Ocean City, Worcester Co., Maryland (7/27/2015). Photo by Robert J. Banach. (MBP list)

A Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle released by National Aquarium in Ocean City, Worcester Co., Maryland (7/27/2015). Photo by Robert J. Banach. (MBP list)

A Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle released by National Aquarium in Ocean City, Worcester Co., Maryland (7/27/2015). Photo by Robert J. Banach. (MBP list)

A Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle found dead in St. Mary's Co., Maryland (5/29/2017). Photo by Tracey Shiflett. (MBP list)

A Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle found dead in St. Mary's Co., Maryland (5/29/2017). Photo by Tracey Shiflett. (MBP list)


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