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Cozumel Mexico is known as having the best diving in the western
hemisphere. But what many do not know is that Cozumel Mexico is also
a major nesting ground for the Loggerhead and the
Hawksbill sea turtles.
Different species of sea turtles like to eat different kinds of
food. Sea turtles have mouths and jaws that are specially formed to
help them eat the foods they like. And each species of sea turtle
eats, sleeps, mates, and swims in distinctly different areas. For the most part they each
have different preferences. And the turtles described here love
Cozumel Mexico!
Lets start with the Loggerhead sea turtle:
Common Name:
Loggerhead - named for its exceptionally large head.
Scientific Name: Caretta caretta
Description: Head is very large.
Carapace (shell) is bony without ridges and has large, non-overlapping,
rough scales present with 5 lateral scute. Carapace is
heart shaped. Front flippers are short and thick with 2 claws, while
the rear flippers can have 2 or 3 claws. These amazing creatures lay
their eggs on Cozumel Mexico primarily at night.
Size: Typically 2.5 to 3.5 feet in length (73-107
cm).
Weight: Adult weigh up to 350 pounds (159 kg).
Diet: Primarily carnivorous and feed mostly on shellfish (off
shore from Cozumel Mexico). They eat horseshoe crabs, clams,
mussels, and other invertebrates. Their powerful jaw muscles help
them to easily crush the shellfish.
Habitat: Prefer to feed in coastal bays and estuaries, as
well as in the shallow water along the continental shelves of the
Atlantic, Pacific and
Nesting: Nest at intervals of 2, 3, or more years. They lay
an
average of between 100 to 126 eggs in each nest. Eggs incubate for
about 60 days.
Range: Found in all tropical waters throughout the world
including Cozumel Mexico!
Next we will examine the Hawksbill sea turtle:
Common Name: Hawksbill - named for its hawk-like beak.
Scientific Name: Eretmochelys imbricata
Description: The hawksbill is one of the smaller sea turtles. Its head is narrow. Its jaw is not serrated. Carapace is bony without ridges and has large, over-lapping scales present and has 4 lateral scales. Carapace is elliptical in shape. Flippers have 2 claws. The carapace is orange, brown or yellow and hatchlings are mostly brown with pale blotches on scales.
Size: Adults are 2.5 to 3 feet in length (76-91 cm).
Weight: Adults can weigh between 100 to 150 pounds (40-60 kg).
Diet: The hawksbill's narrow head and jaws allows it to get food from crevices in coral reefs. Cozumel is of course known for these goodies!
Nesting: Nest at intervals of 2, 3, or more years. Nests between 2 to 4 times per season. Lays an average 160 eggs in each nest.
Eggs incubate for about 60 days.
Range: Most tropical of all sea turtles.
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These amazing creatures nest primarily on the windward side of the island. If you are on the island between May and October. The red sticks that you will see sticking out of the sand are where the spots where sea turtle eggs have been dug up and put in the sanctuary. In this way the environmental department will not dig in the same spot if they see turtle tracks in the sand. We just ask that when you see these red stakes sticking out of the ground, that you please leave them where they are. Also, if you are very lucky you will see these amazing animals doing what they have done for millions of years right here on Cozumel Island Mexico: and that is their annual migration back into the sea!! We hope that you have the best vacation ever on Cozumel! Warm Regards, Bob Rodriguez |