01/04/2022
Fun Friday Fact! 🐢 🌊 🏖
Between the months of April and August, seasonal biological technicians are out on the beach looking for the the smallest and most endangered sea turtle species in the world - the Kemp’s ridley. With an average length of 23 to 27.5 inches and an average length of 100 pounds, the Kemp's rildley nest along Gulf of Mexico beaches from Bolivar Peninsula (off of Galveston Bay) to Vera Cruz, Mexico. After emerging from the water, the turtle will crawl up the beach and use her back flippers to dig a nest chamber in the sand that can be up to three feet deep. She'll deposit any where from 50 to 130 eggs in the chamber before covering them up and heading back to the Gulf.
If you have plans to visit the national seashore during the nesting season, there are several things that you can ensure that the turtles make it safely to and from their nesting sites:
🎯 Be aware that sea turtles may be out on the beach. They move very slowly on land and may be covered with sand from digging or covering their nests, which makes them very hard to see.
🎯 The sea turtles often cross or nest in the beach roadway. Obey the posted speed limit when you are driving on the beach to avoid inadvertently colliding with one.
🎯 If you find a turtle making her way up on the beach to nest, do not rush up to it or you might frighten her back into the water before she lays any eggs.
🎯 If you find a turtle nesting, allow her to nest undisturbed and make sure that she makes it safely back into the water.
🎯 Immediately report nesting turtles to a passing turtle patroller or call 361.949.8174 ext. 226.
Photo: NPS
