|
There are two species of sea turtles that nest on the beaches at Akumal: the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) and the green turtle (Chelonia mydas). During the nights of April through September, the females of these two species come ashore to lay their eggs on the beach. Females generally lay from 110-150 eggs and may nest up to 6 times in one season. After 50-60 days, the young hatchlings emerge at the surface of the nest, usually at night when the temperatures are cooler. Their young then immediately head for the ocean, probably following the light reflected off of the water's surface.
The bays and reefs of the Akumal area are also foraging areas where various species of sea turtles may find food and refuge. Species observed in the waters of Akumal Bay include the hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricate), green and loggerhead turtles.
During the nesting season, CEA turtle biologists, interns, and volunteers, the Turtle Team, walk the beaches of Akumal in search of nesting female turtles, turtle nests, and recent hatchlings. Their duties include protecting and tagging females, collecting scientific data, relocating eggs to more favorable locations on the beach, and releasing hatchlings to the sea. The data that the Turtle Team collects are then used to determine turtle hatching success, behavior, distribution, and abundance.
Visitors and the Akumal community have been helping the CEA Turtle Team by reporting sightings of turtles, turtle tracks, nests, or hatchlings. See Visitor Programs for more information.
To learn more about the XI Marine Turtle Preservation workshop and turtle nesting and hatching numbers for 2001 see Research Papers for more information.
CEA has had a Marine Turtle Protection and Conservation Program since 1994.
CEA also helps rescue turtles in danger. Read about a Hawksbill rescue in Akumal and about a Green Turtle rescue.
If you have a question about turtles or our turtle programs please contact us at info@ceakumal.org.
Report on the 2004 Sea Turtle Program
2004 Turtle Season Tips and Updates
To read more about our turtle program please check out:
EcoTourists
and
Turtle Tours
As well as the following articles:
Green Turtle Rescue
Hawksbill Turtle Rescue
Marine Turtle Protection Program, 2001
Ex-Turtle Volunteer Story
2002 2003 Turtle Updates
2002 Turtle Report
Protection and Conservation Program
Volunteer Program
|
