Definition

Noun: * A species of sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii), also commonly known as the Kemp's ridley. It is characterized by its relatively small size, grey to grey-green carapace (upper shell), and a preference for the coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico around North America. It is critically endangered.

Usage

• The term "bastard ridley" is a specific common name used in zoology and wildlife contexts to identify this particular turtle species.
• It is primarily used in formal or scientific descriptions, field guides, and conservation discussions.
• Note: The word "bastard" in this compound name is a historical taxonomic term and is not used in a pejorative sense. In modern usage, the name "Kemp's ridley" is strongly preferred to avoid any potential misunderstanding or offense.

Examples

• The bastard ridley is the rarest and most endangered sea turtle in the world.
• Conservation efforts are focused on protecting the nesting beaches of the bastard ridley in the Gulf of Mexico.
• Researchers are tracking the migration patterns of the bastard ridley.

Advanced Usage

• The name distinguishes it from the closely related olive ridley (). The term "bastard" was historically used in taxonomy to indicate a species that was considered irregular or not typical of its genus.

Variants and Related Words

• Kemp's ridley (n): The standard and preferred common name for .
• Atlantic ridley (n): Another occasional name for the same species, referencing its primary habitat.
• Ridley (n): A general term for sea turtles of the genus , which includes both the Kemp's ridley and the olive ridley.
• Sea turtle (n): The general category of marine reptiles to which the bastard ridley belongs.

Synonyms

• Kemp's ridley
• Atlantic ridley
• (scientific name)

Related Phrases

• Critically endangered species: The conservation status of the bastard ridley/Kemp's ridley.
• Arribada: A mass nesting behavior exhibited by ridley sea turtles (though more common in olive ridleys; Kemp's ridleys have a more limited form of this behavior).

Noun

1. grey sea turtle of the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of North America