Baja Turtles

We are having wonderful weather, and the return of the tourists is in full swing. Today we sighted the return of a Leatherback Turtle (or Tortuga Laud in Spanish). The female Leatherback turtle came to shore at Lighthouse Point, just to the south of Los Barilles, to lay her eggs.

We were able to mark the turtle nest and we hope to protect it during the turtle egg incubation period. Leatherback turtle eggs usually hatch in about 50 to 75 days from the day they are laid. The incubation period varies depending on the weather conditions with dry and warm weather shortening the sea turtle egg incubation time. This can also decrease the survival rate of the turtle eggs. Leatherback turtles can lay up to four times a year and the number of eggs usually varies from 45 to 160.

The Leatherback turtle is the largest species of sea turtle and it’s been known to weigh as much as a ton. The Leatherback turtle’s scientific name is Dermochelys Coriacea.

Photos courtesy of rustinpc (1 – 2 – 3)