Page 89 - Annual Magazine 2017

SEA WORLD | CARETTA CARETTA

NATURE
THE MARVEL OF

Caretta Caretta: The Island’s endangered turtles A

The Caretta Caretta, or Loggerhead Turtle, is one of two
marine turtles that use our shores to lay their precious
eggs. Declared an endangered species by international
organizations, the protection of these turtles is A JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES
MUST BEGIN WITH A SINGLE STEP
of paramount importance. The loggerheads’ first journey is the most important of their lives, as
they rely on their DNA and instinct to find their way. Only if they make
it this first time, will they return to the same beach after a couple of
decades to lay their eggs and perpetuate their unique species.
Story by Rachel Chrysostom
Caretta Caretta turtles are late breeders. They lay their first eggs at the
age of 15, during the hot summer months. Each turtle can lay up to 80
eggs, which it then covers with sand to ensure their safety. Females
return to lay eggs at intervals of 12–17 days during the nesting season,
on or near the beach where they themselves hatched. After their first
nesting, turtles nest every 2-5 years. PERSISTENT FLIRTING MIGHT WORK OR... NOT
Just before the nesting season, male loggerhead sea turtles migrate
PREVAILING OVER OBSTACLES to mating grounds, which are usually located offshore from nesting
The real miracle, however, is the magical hour when the eggs hatch. beaches. They wait for females to begin courtship and mating. A male
Once the sun has set, after a 7 week incubation period, hundreds of will circle a female, then approach her and bite her neck or shoulder. He
baby turtles burst through the sand and, depending merely on their will then attempt to mount her and if she accepts him, they will mate.
own pure survival instincts, begin their dash towards the sea. There are
countless obstacles between the little hatchlings and the start of their
new marine life, and only about one in 1000 is lucky enough to survive
to adulthood. Turtle hatchlings and young turtles feed on plankton, Only about 1
jelly fish and mollusks until their second year of life, after which they
transition to small marine animals, sea urchins, and crabs. in 1000 is lucky enough

CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION to survive to adulthood.
Cyprus was one of the first countries to legally protect Caretta Caretta
turtles through national regulations. In 1978, the first seasonal hatchery
was established in Lara Beach, Paphos. This is done by creating
specialized cages in the areas where turtles lay their eggs to protect If a female does not accept the male, she covers her cloak and swims to
them before hatching. Since then, both Lara Beach and the area of the bottom, but a persistent male may wait until she needs air and make
Polis/Limni in Paphos were declared marine turtle reserves under the another attempt. Males use the long, curved claws on their forelimbs
EU Natura 2000 protected area network. to hold on because mating may last for hours and other males often
ram and bite the mating male, attempting to dislodge him. If a male is
THE HUMAN FACTOR dislodged, another may quickly replace him.
CYPRUS The biggest threat to marine turtles is, sadly, human disturbances.
Cyprus was one of the first Driving on the beach can damage nests beneath the sand, whilst direct DID YOU KNOW?
countries to legally protect light sources near beaches can attract hatchlings which use light as Marine turtles are an ancient group of reptiles that ‘reversed’ their
Caretta Caretta turtles a source to find the water. Bright lights, along with loud noises can evolution from land to sea. This reverse process is incomplete, and
through national regulations also intimidate female turtles from laying their eggs on the beach, thus though marine turtles are well adapted to marine life, they still breathe
hindering the chances of survival of the next generation of sea turtles. air and return to land to lay their eggs.
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