The nesting mother turtle.
These baby steps are to be celebrated.
TheKemp’s Ridley Turtleis an endangered species which was abundant until the late 1940s when populations plummeted.
The nesting mother turtle. (Photo:Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research)
The species nests along the Gulf of Mexico.
The females lay clutches of eggs in sand before returning to the water.
Remarkably, they usually give a shot to return to the area in which they themselves hatched.
Leaving the nest to incubate. (Photo:Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research)
They then removed her 80 eggs for safekeeping and hatching.
To help protect laying moms, the duns along the coast of nesting areas are marked with reflective markers.
Untrained civilians should not approach the turtles or thier nests.
She returns to the sea! (Photo:Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research)
However, the public can play an important role in protecting the species.
Call the 1-866-TURTLE 5 hotline if you see telltale signs of a nest along the Gulf Coast.
This varies with weather as wind can blow these tracks away.
The next with eggs peaking out. (Photo:Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research)
If you live in or visit the area, keep your eyes out for these remarkable nests.
Leaving the nest to incubate.
She returns to the sea!
The next with eggs peaking out.
(Photo:Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research)
h/t: [Chron.]
