The National Protected Natural Areas Commission (Conanp) announced that over 97,000 Kemp's ridley sea turtles have hatched in Mexican beaches, particularly at the Playa Rancho Nuevo wildlife sanctuary, located in the northeastern Mexican state of Tamaulipas.
Experts from Conanp, together with some of students and residents from around the area monitored the birth of the hatchlings from over 2,000 nests situated inside the wildlife reserve. According to the agency, the number of total hatchlings born this season may be determined once all the nests found in the Del Tordo River and Miramar beaches are assessed. The agency estimates that the current number will probably go higher. The members of the agency, who are expecting a surge of more hatchlings during the first half of August, are still monitoring the incubation nests and pens continuously.
To ensure that the nests are adequately protected and that poaching of turtle eggs are prevented, the Profepa federal environmental protection agency and the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Commission are extending their work with fishermen so that appropriate and sufficient education about nest protection are well imparted.
Kemp's ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) usually nest in Gulf of Mexico beaches from Louisiana to Campeche state; however, the species look as if they are comfortable nesting in Tamaulipas. The specie is the smallest among the five types of sea turtles that roam around the Gulf of Mexico. However, according to the US National Park Service, immature turtles are sometimes carried by the currents toward the Atlantic coast, New England and Nova Scotia.
On the average, Kemp's ridley measures approximately 23-27.5 inches in length and 100 lbs in weight and carries a nearly circular-shaped upper shell. During the early stages of their life, the said sea turtles are dark gray in color but this eventually alters as they grow, with adults exhibiting an olive green upper segment and a yellow lower segment.
Kemp's ridley sea turtles eat crabs for food most of the time; however, they also feed on plants and invertebrates in the marine world, specifically when they are still young. The specie of crabs eaten by the sea turtles is dependent on the area where they are located.
In the US, Kemp's ridley sea turtles mostly nest in Texas. The said turtles are reported to settle in Padre Island National Seashore, more than in any other location within the US.
Photo: Terry Ross | Flickr
