Tracy
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Sea turtles in Akumal
Akumal is the mayan word for "Place of the Turtles". Endangered Loggerhead and Green Turtles lay their eggs on these beaches from late May to late August. One of the reasons that summer is my favorite time to go to Mexico is because of the turtles. Walking the beach with volunteers from the CEA (Centro Ecologico Akumal) late at night looking for nesting turtles is something I look forward to every year.
Watching a nest hatch is another amazing experience. The nests have about 100 to 150 eggs and when they hatch the sand just explodes and they all rush to the sea. It is such a beautiful thing to see and will truly be a cherished memory.
A few facts about sea turtles
1. It takes about 30 years for a female to reach maturity.
2. These turtles return to the same beach they were hatched from 30 years earlier to lay their own eggs (Isn't that amazing?). And here is something to think about: The turtles that are returning now to lay their eggs have not been here for 30 years. 30 years ago Akumal was a deserted beach. Now there is not an empty spot anywhere on the beach. I think that would be very disorienting for those mamas trying to lay their eggs.
3. Only about 5% of hatchlings will make it to maturity. The most dangerous time for them is the trip from the nest to the water - the birds and crabs are waiting to pick them off. Once they are full grown the only predators they have are sharks and humans.
4. As juveniles, they eat jellyfish, crabs, shrimp and sponges but as adults they feed primarily on sea grass.
Akumal is full of sea grass! Half Moon Bay is very shallow (>5 ft.) and the young adults can be seen daily feeding there. One of my family's favorite things to do while hanging out on the beach is to spot them coming up for air. If you snorkel in the bay, you will most likely come across at least one of these beautiful creatures.
If you do cross paths with these gentle giants, please please please do not touch them! Just watch them and swim along with them and enjoy them from a distance. It is an experience you will never forget!
To learn more about the turtles in Akumal, stop by the CEA in the center of town and talk to the great people there and maybe sign up for one of their turtle walks. It is a great experience for the kids too - the more young conservationists we have the better the turtles' chances are for the future.
Watching a nest hatch is another amazing experience. The nests have about 100 to 150 eggs and when they hatch the sand just explodes and they all rush to the sea. It is such a beautiful thing to see and will truly be a cherished memory.
A few facts about sea turtles
1. It takes about 30 years for a female to reach maturity.
2. These turtles return to the same beach they were hatched from 30 years earlier to lay their own eggs (Isn't that amazing?). And here is something to think about: The turtles that are returning now to lay their eggs have not been here for 30 years. 30 years ago Akumal was a deserted beach. Now there is not an empty spot anywhere on the beach. I think that would be very disorienting for those mamas trying to lay their eggs.
3. Only about 5% of hatchlings will make it to maturity. The most dangerous time for them is the trip from the nest to the water - the birds and crabs are waiting to pick them off. Once they are full grown the only predators they have are sharks and humans.
4. As juveniles, they eat jellyfish, crabs, shrimp and sponges but as adults they feed primarily on sea grass.
Akumal is full of sea grass! Half Moon Bay is very shallow (>5 ft.) and the young adults can be seen daily feeding there. One of my family's favorite things to do while hanging out on the beach is to spot them coming up for air. If you snorkel in the bay, you will most likely come across at least one of these beautiful creatures.
If you do cross paths with these gentle giants, please please please do not touch them! Just watch them and swim along with them and enjoy them from a distance. It is an experience you will never forget!
To learn more about the turtles in Akumal, stop by the CEA in the center of town and talk to the great people there and maybe sign up for one of their turtle walks. It is a great experience for the kids too - the more young conservationists we have the better the turtles' chances are for the future.
