Lepidochelys kempii (kemp's ridley)

Distributed in tropical and subtropical waters, Lepidochelys kempii feeds, similar to Caretta caretta, on crabs, seagrass, echinoderms and many more. This species nests on only one beach in Mexico. So-called "arribadas" take place three times a year and involve a mass appearance of nesting females.  These turtles nest during the day.

Lepidochelys kempii is critically endangered and its population is recovering slowly. Shrimp fishery still kills many turtles every year, but netsare now being improved by installing TEDs (turtle excluder devices), which help turtles to escape from nets.