Olive Ridley Turtles Nest on California Beaches for First Time
Olive Ridley sea turtles have made history by nesting naturally on California beaches for the first time ever recorded on the U.S. West Coast. Two separate turtles recently created nests near the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge in Orange County and close to the Huntington Beach Pier.
The turtles were initially believed to be the same individual. However, scientists compared their body shapes and shell patterns and determined that two different Olive Ridleys had arrived. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration described the discovery as the first documented natural sea turtle nesting on the western coast of the United States.
Olive Ridleys are best known for nesting in large groups called arribadas, a spectacular behavior seen in countries including Mexico and Costa Rica. In California, however, the turtles nested independently. Researchers believe unusually warm ocean conditions associated with the current Super El Niño seasonal pattern may have influenced their movements. Storm activity in the Pacific could also have pushed the turtles away from their usual routes.
Each Olive Ridley nest can contain around 100 eggs. Temperature plays an important role in determining the sex of hatchlings. At about 87 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, nearly all hatchlings are expected to be female.
An interagency team will monitor both nests for approximately 45 to 60 days, the usual incubation period. The nesting areas have been protected with barriers, and the public has been asked to keep a safe distance.
If the eggs hatch successfully, the young turtles could potentially return to these California beaches in the future, creating a rare opportunity for the species to expand its nesting range and establish a nesting tradition along this coastline.
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