Lepidochelys kempii

Lepidochelys kempii NatureServe Explorer Species Reports — NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological  communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network. Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, also called the Atlantic ridley sea turtle, is the rarest species of sea turtle and is the world’s most endangered species of sea turtles. It is one of two living species in the genus Lepidochelys.

ITIS Reports — ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world. At least one source also refers to Kemp’s ridley as a “heartbreak turtle”. In her book The Great Ridley Rescue, Pamela Philips claimed the name was coined by fishermen who witnessed the turtles dying after being “turned turtle” (on their backs). The fishermen said the turtles “died of a broken heart”.

FWS Digital Media Library — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video.