Leatherback Turtle
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On March 30th as I was leaving Haulover Beach in North Miami a friend
informed me a gigantic turtle had crawled up on the north end of the
public beach to lay its eggs, and I should not miss the opportunity to view
it. I expected to see the more common species, Loggerhead or Green
Turtle.
I was totally surprised to see a turtle larger than I could imagine. A group
of 50 curious individuals were standing in amazement at the size of this
huge reptile. I was relieved to see the spectacular event was being
monitored by Selina Mills and a Mr. Ahearn, both of whom work with
Dade Park Service Aid/Sea Turtle Program. Selina indicated the turtle
was a Leatherback between 35 and 40 years old, weighing between 800
and 1000 pounds. The endangered sea turtle crawled onto the beach at
about 2:45 PM . The turtle had laid its eggs and was completing covering
them with sand about 4:15 PM. Selina said a leatherback turtle had not
been seen nesting on a Miami beach during the day since 2003. They
don't return to lay their eggs until maturity which is about 30 years of age.
It was "awesome" to watch the largest of all turtles finish covering her
eggs and returning to the ocean.
When I arrived home and searched the web I realized how truly rare was
the phenomenon I witnessed. There are only 3000 breeding pairs of
leatherback turtles left in the world. The survival of the leatherback and
sea turtles in general is dependant on turtle reclamation programs, and
for you and I to act as their eyes and ears. Someone sighting a turtle
nesting should contact their county turtle program in order for them
retrieve the eggs. After the eggs are laid they must be guarded until
someone from a Sea Turtle Programs arrives. Fresh turtle eggs can
easily be crushed by foot or beach vehicles. Loss of habitat from
development is the turtles number one threat. Stacking high rise buildings
next to one another on our beaches creates wind tunnels that exacerbate
erosion and is destroying the turtles nesting opportunity.
There is an abundance of information on turtles here:
http://www.google.com/search?q=leatherback+turtles
Nesting Information: Nest at intervals of 2 to 3 years, though recent
research has indicated they can nest every year. Nests between 6 to 9
times per season, with an average of 10 days between nestings. Lays an
average of 80 fertilized eggs, the size of billiard balls, and 30 smaller,
unfertilized eggs, in each nest. Eggs incubate for about 65 days. Unlike
other species of sea turtles, leatherback females may change nesting
beaches, though they tend to stay in the same region.
informed me a gigantic turtle had crawled up on the north end of the
public beach to lay its eggs, and I should not miss the opportunity to view
it. I expected to see the more common species, Loggerhead or Green
Turtle.
I was totally surprised to see a turtle larger than I could imagine. A group
of 50 curious individuals were standing in amazement at the size of this
huge reptile. I was relieved to see the spectacular event was being
monitored by Selina Mills and a Mr. Ahearn, both of whom work with
Dade Park Service Aid/Sea Turtle Program. Selina indicated the turtle
was a Leatherback between 35 and 40 years old, weighing between 800
and 1000 pounds. The endangered sea turtle crawled onto the beach at
about 2:45 PM . The turtle had laid its eggs and was completing covering
them with sand about 4:15 PM. Selina said a leatherback turtle had not
been seen nesting on a Miami beach during the day since 2003. They
don't return to lay their eggs until maturity which is about 30 years of age.
It was "awesome" to watch the largest of all turtles finish covering her
eggs and returning to the ocean.
When I arrived home and searched the web I realized how truly rare was
the phenomenon I witnessed. There are only 3000 breeding pairs of
leatherback turtles left in the world. The survival of the leatherback and
sea turtles in general is dependant on turtle reclamation programs, and
for you and I to act as their eyes and ears. Someone sighting a turtle
nesting should contact their county turtle program in order for them
retrieve the eggs. After the eggs are laid they must be guarded until
someone from a Sea Turtle Programs arrives. Fresh turtle eggs can
easily be crushed by foot or beach vehicles. Loss of habitat from
development is the turtles number one threat. Stacking high rise buildings
next to one another on our beaches creates wind tunnels that exacerbate
erosion and is destroying the turtles nesting opportunity.
There is an abundance of information on turtles here:
http://www.google.com/search?q=leatherback+turtles
Nesting Information: Nest at intervals of 2 to 3 years, though recent
research has indicated they can nest every year. Nests between 6 to 9
times per season, with an average of 10 days between nestings. Lays an
average of 80 fertilized eggs, the size of billiard balls, and 30 smaller,
unfertilized eggs, in each nest. Eggs incubate for about 65 days. Unlike
other species of sea turtles, leatherback females may change nesting
beaches, though they tend to stay in the same region.
