Sea Turtles and Humans, Unforgettable Encounters
by Biol. Oscar S. Aranda Mena |
Despite the fact that sea turtles have been nesting on the Banderas Bay since before the first settlers arrived, people are still surprised when they experience a turtle nesting on the beach. People from around the world pay to travel to remote places to experience sea turtles. It’s the turtles who have had to adapt to us. And despite our invasive presence, each night they continue to provide an unforgettable experience capable of moving even the toughest of hearts. Take a Walk on the Beach at Night Under the pressure of everyday stress, we have forgotten the beauty of simple things. A walk in the rain refreshes the body and mind. And a simple walk on the beach at night helps put us in synch with nature, opens our senses to what surrounds us. An encounter with a nesting sea turtle lets us admire how marvelous and wise nature is by observing the way a cold-blooded animal protects the eggs she has just buried in the sand. Watching her dig a deep hole with her flippers and then carefully cover it really makes us reflect on our own human nature.
If you want to observe sea turtles on the beach, you must be patient. It’s hard to predict where and when they will come out, so plan to spend about three hours, starting around 9:00pm since the early hours of the night are preferred by nesting turtles. Don’t go out with your flashlight turned on; adapt to the moonlight and become part of the beach inhabitants. Use the flashlight only when it’s completely necessary, since light discourages the turtles as well as an endless number of other gentle animals you may encounter.  When walking, stay alongside the moist sand just above the waves. This will let you easily see tracks left by the turtles when they came out; they are similar to those left by a tractor. If you find tracks, follow them but DO NOT RUN! Turtles are very sensitive to abrupt movements, as well as noise. Remember, we are visitors and must be respectful as the turtles come out searching for a place to safely deposit their eggs by digging a hole almost 50 cm (20 inches) deep. When you find a turtle, it’s very important that you position yourself behind it to avoid being seen and stay at least two meters (6 feet) away. When a turtle exits the water, she needs at least 40 minutes to complete her process, so don’t lose your patience. The time from exiting the water until she begins to deposit her eggs are very important; if she senses any danger, she will turn around and return to the sea without laying her eggs. You can sit by her side and contemplate her, avoiding being detected as a hazard, and she will continue with her mission quietly. Photographs will scare her away until she begins to lay her eggs, a process where she remains immobile for a long period, moving her head periodically to breathe.  Once she is done laying her eggs, she will begin to cover the hole behind her, using her flippers and then packing the sand with her shell, an elaborate procedure many call “the turtle dance.” Finally, she will begin to circle around to throw the sand around with her flippers, erasing any signs of the nest’s location. This is when we must make sure her path back to the sea is unobstructed, so be especially sure to remain behind her. Remember, since this is a natural process, the turtles must complete it by themselves. Therefore, they must never be “helped” to return to the sea. Likewise, don’t dig looking for eggs, even if your intention is to protect them. This constitutes a federal crime, so nests must be left exactly as they were found. A Complicated LifeThis experience would not be the same without knowing how complex the lives of these turtles are, from the moment the turtle deposits her eggs in a nest she built with so much effort, providing a shape that prevents the weight of the sand from affecting them.
 After an incubation period of one and a half months, the turtle eggs begin to hatch. They wait for each other in order to exit the nest at the same time, usually at night. Their journey to the sea then begins, and they must walk long distances (often unable to see the sea), guided solely by sight and sound. This journey to the sea is called “imprinting”, when they register the image of the beach where they were born, so they can return years later to lay their own eggs.
 About 95% of the young turtles become prey to some type of predator during the first night, which gives us an idea of the dangers they face. Nonetheless, they use stealth, remaining motionless with their fins stuck to their bodies to simulate a piece of floating debris. In fact, they will remain motionless even if bitten by a fish. As they grow, they begin to have fewer predators, becoming more agile and stronger until they reach their adult size at about age 15 years of age. From then on, they can only be eaten by sharks and orcas.
Turtles have managed to survive great natural disasters as one of the longest living and oldest animals on earth. Their lives took a radical turn some 60 years ago when man began to exploit them commercially. This is how thousands upon thousands of turtles were sacrificed, almost to the brink of extinction. Nowadays, although they are legally protected, the biggest risk they face is humans, due to illicit poaching and fishing. Protecting the Turtles and Their Nests There are more than 200 beaches in Mexico where turtles and their nests are protected. If you are interested in finding out more about the turtles and are not happy just watching them, you can contact the turtle protection centers in your area. Some are operated by the government, but most are operated by non-profit organizations that depend on voluntary assistance and donations in order to continue their important work. Step up, inquire and help us protect and defend the endangered sea turtles of the region. Vallarta Online offers you 10% off booking the Turtle & Crocodile Camp Adventure, a unique experiencie with these wonderful reptiles.
Nuestra Tierra A.C. Sociedad Ecológica de Occidente S.C. Preparatoria PV, Universidad de Guadalajara CONANP Grupo Ecologistas de Nayarit A.C. Grupo Ecológico de la Costa Verde A.C. Sociedad Cooperativa Rocanegra |
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