Turtles are unique creatures known for their long life spans, but did you know that some species have the shortest lifespan of any turtle? The Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle has been found to have the shortest lifespan of any other turtle species. On average, these turtles can live up to 15 years in the wild before they die from old age. This is significantly shorter than many other species, like Green Sea Turtles which can live up to 80-100 years in the wild!
The Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle is the smallest and most endangered sea turtle species in the world. It is found mainly in the Gulf of Mexico and in Nova Scotia, Canada. They are mainly carnivorous and their diet consists of crabs, shrimp, jellyfish, and mollusks. Their shells are usually a greenish-grey color and can reach up to 38 inches long! Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles are also known for their unique nesting behavior; each year during nesting season, hundreds of female turtles come ashore to lay their eggs in one single area — an event called an “arribada”. These dramatic mass nesting events attract many onlookers from all around the world!
