Introducing the kids to Sea Turtles

In Mazunte, we stopped at the Sea Turtle museum.  Of the 8 species of marine turtles, 7 live in Mexican waters.  This museum, which was more like an aquarium gave the kids a great introduction to sea turtles. 

Among the things we learned:

• Sea Turtles can live over 100 years
• When they lay their eggs, they return to the same beach where they were born.
• The temperature of the sand determines the percentage of males versus females that hatch. 
• When the eggs hatch, they look for the reflection of the moon and stars on the ocean to find their way to the water.
• Due to many predators when they are small and other environmental factors they face as they grow, less than 1% make it to full adulthood.

Due to the risks faced by turtles to their wellbeing, a variety of sanctuaries have been established to move turtle nests to safe hatching areas, and hatchlings are supported so that they may have their best shot in life.

 

 

 As turtles are discovered, they are tagged so that they may be tracked over time.  Once they reach adulthood, they have no natural predators other than man.

 

Leaving the museum, the kids had a new appreciation of turtles and an awareness of what they could do to help.