![]() Turtles are fascinating millennial animals that have existed since approximately 250 million years ago. True witnesses of the evolution and brave survivors of the constant changes of the planet, they are persistent reminders of the ages of the dinosaurs that have been even called "living fossils".
Every single year in the time between July and November, thousands of Olive Ridley turtles arrive to many beaches in Los Cabos, looking for the perfect place to lay their eggs. During this period, female turtles take transcontinental trips to go back to the beach where they were born and lay their eggs there, while the male turtles never go back to the sand.
When the turtle has chosen a bed, it proceeds to build the nest with its rear fins, the nest has an approximate profundity of half a meter and it has the shape of a buried bottle that widens towards the bottom. After laying the eggs, the turtle covers up the nest with sand and then it returns to the ocean.
Unfortunately, only one of every 5,000 turtles will reach an adult age. The new-born have a 5-centimeter size, and they have to fight against endless dangers during the first days of their lives. The most common threats for the baby turtles are octopuses, crabs, and seabirds, but the most aggressive danger they have to overcome is man himself, since men have brought them into danger of extinction. This is the reason why the Mexican Government has declared an absolute ban to the exploiting of this species and has implemented protection programs.
The turtle camps are among the measures that have been taken for the protection of the marine turtle. Turtle camps are places where artificial nests are built to guard the eggs that have been laid on the beach, so they can be kept from their predators. These camps rely on the help of very-well capacitated people. These groups are generally formed by scientists who carry out important investigations, and volunteer students who donate their time and effort to this significant task. Turtle camps feature night patrol programs and turtle liberation programs. Throughout these camps you can now be a part of this incommensurable effort, in them you will be capacitated by means of an informative video, and then you will be guided by an expert in every step of this great adventure. Come and be a part of the conservation of this fascinating species!
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Marine Turtles: Brave survivors of the planet's evolution.
- Author:
- Mireille Pasos