Local Fauna
|
green/Black Turtle - Pacific sub-population
Conservation status:
|
Chelonia mydas - Tortuga verde del Pacífico
Size: 1.5 m (5 ft); Weight: 68–190 kg (150–419 lb) The Pacific green turtle or also known as black turtle reach its maturity between the 16 and 25 years old. Females nest each two or three years. The same turtle can nest up to 5 times per season, in a gap of 12 to 14 days. Their distribution is the tropical and sub-tropical oceans, but there two mainly populations. In Costa Rica, they arrive to the Pacific and Caribbean sea. They arrive all the year to the Costa Rican North Pacific, but the peak season is from September to March. They nest an average of 65 to 87 eggs, and hatch from 42 to 62 days after. Pacific green turtles are mostly herbivorous, being algae their main diet. They move long distances to eat, and move back to nest in the tropical coasts, where they are tagged in some research projects. Unfortunately, pacific green turtles are considered endangered by the UICN, mainly because of their meat, eggs poaching, and bycatch fishing. Nevertheless, multiple efforts and research are being done in nesting beaches that are not still protected. We also support their conservation by promoting ecotourism and other activities in which you can take action. If you want to experience the nesting process of this turtle and learn more about all this, you can book a tour to a nesting beach close to Las Baulas National Marine Park (Guanacaste area). Book here. |
Leatherback turtle - Eastern Pacific sub-population
Conservation status:
|
Dermochelys coriacea - Tortuga baula
Size: 1.65 m (5.41 ft); Weight: 68–190 kg (150–419 lb) The leatherback turtles are the biggest and fastest sea turtle in the ocean and one of the biggest reptiles alive. They live in all the oceans except the Arctic and Antarctic, and their population divides into sub-populations. In the Costa Rican North Pacific coast, the Eastern Pacific subpopulation is the one that lays on here, being Grande, Ventanas and Langosta beach (Las Baulas National Marine Park) the most important nesting beaches in all the Eastern Pacific. The leatherbacks reach their sexual maturity after 15 - 20 years old. The females nest from every 3 to 7 years, and in a single season they can do it for about 6 times, with gaps of 9 days approximately. The season in the Costa Rican North Pacific coast is from September to March. They lay an average of 80 eggs, but only the 50% will hatch. Their egg chamber is about 75 cm (2.46 ft) of depth and it takes around 50 - 70 days to hatch. Hatchlings measure from 5 cm to 6.5 cm (2 in to 2.6 in) and take to 3 - 5 days to reach the surface and race to the ocean. Leatherbacks in one of the animals who migrate long distances, moving from feeding areas (subtropical waters) to breeding beaches (tropical waters). Satellite tracking showed that the Eastern Pacific population migrates from Central America to the coasts of Peru and Chile. From all the sea turtles, the leatherbacks are the one the can dive up to 800 m, they can hold their breath for about 25 minutes and swim 70 km per day. As different from other sea turtles, the leatherbacks have a cartilaginous carapace. They are the only sea turtles that are able to regulate their own temperature, this let them to survive in cold water where they feed. They have a specialized diet, feeding only with jellyfish. Unfortunately, the Eastern Pacific population is reducing into alarming rates due to poaching, nesting beach destruction, climate change, pollution and bycatch. Their main nesting beaches are in Mexico, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. In Costa Rica, Las Baulas National Marine Park is the main place where they nest in all the Eastern Pacific, but its population has decreased drastically. Nevertheless, the National Park has joined efforts with other stakeholders to promote the conservation of the habitats based in a management focused in the ecosystem approach. |
Olive ridley Turtle
Conservation status:
|
Lepidochelys olivacea - Tortuga lora
Size: 60 to 70 cm (23.62 in - 2.30 ft); Weight: 50 kg (110 lb) Olive ridley turtles are the smallest sea turtles in the ocean. They reach their sexual maturity around 10 - 15 years old and live 50 – 60 years. The females nest each two years, some of them can do it each 3 years or even each year. One single turtle can nest 3 times in one season with a gap of 17 to 28 days. The season is from June to December. Their distribution is the tropical and subtropical waters, very close to the coasts. The Pacific population have several important nesting beaches in Mexico, Nicaragua, Honduras, Panama and Costa Rica. Their color is olive, representative to their name. They are carnivorous, feeding mainly crustaceans, shellfish, fish and some sea plants. They like to float in the ocean to receive the sun’s warmth. Olive ridleys can dive up to 200 m. and hold their breath for about 30 minutes. Their nesting behavior is very interesting that has being object of researchers around the globe. Thousands of olive ridleys may nest in the same beach in a period of 3 - 4 days; this phenomenon is known as “arribada”. In Costa Rica this happens in Ostional (Wildlife Refuge) and Nancite (Santa Rosa National Park). As the other sea turtles, the olive ridleys are also endangered, mainly because the egg poaching, bycatch and long-line fishing. Ostional, in Costa Rica, is the only beach where egg harvesting can be done under the strict control of the government. |
|
