Green turtle hatchlings emerge from the nest after dark, while hatchlings which emerged during the day usually buried themselves again, and the few which attempt to reach the water are invariably taken by gulls. Research has revealed that nocturnal emergence has marked survival value, because during the heat of the day, surface sand temperatures would be rapidly lethal to hatchlings and the danger of predation is much greater during the day.
Once sexually mature, a female sea turtle will make regular pilgrimages to the beach of her birth to lay eggs. After completing mating, fertilization and laying of individual clutches, the female returns to the sea investing no more care in her ensuing offspring. The eggs will then be at the mercy of several predators as well as the tide which can bring forceful waves to the beach. After two months, the turtle hatchlings emerge and the baby turtles will start their difficult voyage to the open ocean. The hatchlings are guided by the brightness of the horizon, which leads them into the sea.
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Since we started our conservation projects, the population of baby turtles that make it out to sea has increased, and in exchange for our conservation efforts, we see our turtles returning between September and January each year. We gather information on their nesting habits and egg development, and when the turtle hatchlings emerge, we help them reach the ocean by defending them against predators.
When the babies are mature and have used up the yolk in their egg, they peck their way out of their egg case and turtle hatchlings emerge to begin their life in the ocean.
Cousine Island is one of the few sites in the world where sea turtles arrive to lay their eggs, and this fascinating and moving event, which is a huge attraction to tourists would be threatened if not for conservation, which makes the protection of endangered marine turtles and their nesting beaches a priority. |
