| Ridley Sea Turtles | |
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| Researchers collect Kemp's Ridley eggs. |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Testudines |
| Family: | Cheloniidae |
| Genus: | Lepidochelys Fitzinger, 1843 |
| Species | |
Ridley Sea Turtles (Lepidochelys) are a genus of sea turtles with two species; the Kemp's Ridley and the Olive Ridley.
Atlantic ridley sea turtles are currently on the New York and federal endangered species lists.
Contents |
Anatomy
Adult Ridley sea turtles grow to a length of 20-28 inches (51–71 cm). They have a weight of 80-110 pounds (36–50 kg). They feed on crabs, fish, cephalopods, clams, and some marine vegetation.
The Kemp's Ridley sea turtle is endangered throughout its range. Two major feeding grounds for the Kemp's Ridley are both near major areas of oil exploration and protection.
Etymology and taxonomic history
The etymology of the common name for the genus Lepidochelys, "Ridley" is a subject of speculation. Prior to being known as Ridleys, the French naturalist Bernard Germain de Lacépède referred to the Lepidochelys species as "bastard turtles". Archie Carr, renowned sea turtle conservationist once claimed that "ridley" was a common Floridan term for these turtles.[1]
Endangerement
The Atlantic Ridley Sea Turtle is endangered because of pollution and fisherman accidentally catching them in their nets.
References
- ^ Dundee, Harold A. (2001). "The Etymological Riddle of the Ridley Sea Turtle". Marine Turtle Newsletter 58: 10–12. http://www.seaturtle.org/mtn/archives/mtn58/mtn58p10b.shtml. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
Bibliography
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