Every spring, the Texas coast becomes a vital nursery for thousands of nesting sea turtles. Green, loggerhead, and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles all nest on our sandy shores. Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, the worlds smallest and most endangered sea turtle, rely almost entirely on Gulf beaches in Texas and Mexico to replenish their population each year. With abundant threats for nesting mothers, their nests, and the young hatchlings, ensuring their safety during this pivotal life stage is essential to the species continued recovery.
From April to August, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service urges all who enjoy Texas beaches to do their part to help detect and protect threatened and endangered sea turtles.
A Turtle's Journey
Sea turtles spend their early lives in a fight for survival. When they first hatch, they weigh under 50 grams, less than a tennis ball. Their iconic shells are soft and pliable to fit inside the egg. With numerous predators, and no defenses except their numbers, time is of the essence from the moment hatchlings dig out of the sand until they reach the water's edge.
Hatching is just the beginning of a difficult early life for sea turtles. On the open ocean they face threats from predation, boat strikes, incidental bycatch, illegal shell trade, and cold-stunning. Sea turtles are slow growing, taking between 10 and 50 years to reach maturity and nest for the first time, depending on the species. A turtle digging a hole and laying its eggs on the Texas coast represents decades of battling against the odds.
Only 1 in 1,000 sea turtles reaches the point where they can contribute their genetics to their species future. Nesting is a crucial stage in their life cycle, and it is up to all of us on the Texas coast to make sure their nesting is successful and this conservation story continues into the future.
How Beachgoers Can Help
Beachgoers who encounter a nesting sea turtle should report it immediately by calling 1-866-TURTLE-5 (1-866-887-8535). After reporting the sighting, it is crucial to remain on-site until a biologist arrives. If it isn’t possible to wait, mark the area gently with natural debris, such as small pieces of wood, making a large circle around the nest without covering it, to help biologists locate it later.
“The public can help protect this endangered species by being extra vigilant and driving cautiously on the beach, so that vehicles do not inadvertently collide with nesting turtles during the day or emerging hatchlings at night from late March through September,” said Cynthia Rubio, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist. “If you see a nesting turtle, nests, or hatchlings, approach cautiously and report immediately. By working together, we can help ensure that Texas beaches continue to be a safe place for sea turtles to nest now and into the future.”
When a nesting sea turtle is spotted, keeping a distance of 100 feet away is essential; do not disturb the turtle or its nesting site. It is important that the female turtles are allowed to return to the water after laying their eggs.
To help ensure the survival of nesting sea turtles and eggs, biologists and volunteers will patrol Texas beaches from April through July. The Service, along with the National Park Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas A&M University at Galveston, the University of Texas Marine Science Institute, Nueces County Coastal Parks, Sea Turtle, Inc. and Turtle Island Restoration Network will work together to coordinate a response when nesting sea turtles, tracks, or nests are found.
Kemp’s Ridley Conservation
The Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, the smallest of the sea turtle species, measures about two feet in length and can weigh up to 100 pounds. They are known for nesting during the day, while the green and loggerhead sea turtles nest less frequently along the Texas coast, typically at night.
In 1947, the only known nesting site for Kemp’s ridley turtles was discovered on a single beach stretch near Rancho Nuevo, Mexico. However, over the next four decades, this population suffered a catastrophic decline of 99.4% in nesting numbers. In response, the Service, along with partner agencies, initiated a collaborative international project in 1978 to focus on nest protection in the U.S. and Mexico, enforce regulations on turtle excluder devices for commercial fishing trawlers, and establish a second nesting colony at Padre Island National Seashore in Texas.
Cooperative binational conservation efforts continue to help the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle population. In 2025, a record-breaking 449 Kemp’s ridley nests were found in Texas, making it the largest number recorded since record-keeping began in 1978. The Kemp’s ridley sea turtle remains one of the most endangered species of sea turtle in the world; therefore, binational conservation efforts must continue to fully recover the species.
