A Ridley turtle in the Gulf of Mexico, off Texas coast

A Ridley turtle, Lepidochelys kempii. This is the most common specie encountered in the Gulf of mexico. She has a rounded shell and she weights between 40 et 50 kg (between 120 and 150 lbs). We took that picture as she was eating a sponge growing on a leg of a rig in the Gulf of Mexico off Texas. Turtles are marine reptiles which come on the beach to lay. As a lot of turtle species, the Ridley turtle is endangered.

A Ridley turtle in the Gulf of Mexico, off Texas coast.

A Ridley turtle in the Gulf of Mexico, off Texas coast.

A Ridley turtle in the Gulf of Mexico, off Texas coast.