The Passing of the Turtle
The Passing of the Turtle
Turtles. Everybody loves turtles. How can you not love a turtle? They are total studs and in Costa Rica, they are everywhere. It is almost guaranteed that if you go out on a sailboat, scuba dive or a fishing trip, you will spot a couple of them; many times, making love. It seems like every time I see a Tortuga, there is a second one underneath, and they are getting after it: like rabbits. All this romance means there are a ton of baby hatchlings. One of the more popular tours is to go and see them lay their eggs or watch them as they emerge. What an incredible site it is, to see hundreds, sometimes thousands, of baby turtles racing across the sand, trying to make it to the sea. Only a small percentage of them will survive and grow to adulthood, as there are so many natural predators, and unfortunately, mankind as well.
There are 4 types of turtles in the land of Pura Vida, and they are all endangered species as they fall victim to poaching for their meat, shells, and eggs.
Olive Ridley Sea Turtle resides only on the Pacific side of Costa Rica. They can grow up to two feet in length and weigh up to 100 lbs. They are one of the most common turtles, and their favorite meal is jellyfish.
