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It is that time of the year again in Cancun and the Riviera Maya, sea turtles hatch from their eggs and waddle rapidly out of their sandy nests and into the water. A small group of us writers, photographers and turtle lovers were lucky enough to witness it first hand.
Upon arrival, we all thought that we were simply going to release previously hatched turtles, pat them on their tiny shells and wish them luck. We were wrong. Within a blocked off area, designated solely to turtle nests in Cancun’s hotel zone, hundreds more of them were born right before our eyes. We were simply standing nearby observing the nest and throwing around some sea turtle fun facts when a bunch of these adorable little creatures made their rapid escape from the sandy earth. It was like a turtle fountain! They just kept coming and coming and coming until we had two larges boxes full of them almost ready to release.
Some of the sea turtles were not quite ready to be set free. Just newly hatched, warm and sandy, their tiny umbilical cords were still exposed which made them very vulnerable to predators. So those little squirts are waiting it out a night before they are sent to sea. If you are already in the Mexico Caribbean for the turtle hatching season or will be next year, here are some important things to remember while observing them.
· If you are lucky enough to witness a female sea turtle lay eggs, keep your distance and do not take photos with flash.
· When the baby sea turtles hatch, keep quite, don’t use light and simply observe.
· Only handle sea turtles with the proper authorization. Never try it on your own. They are simply too vulnerable of a species.
· Do not release them directly into the water. Let them find their way. If they waddle in the wrong direction, simply turn them around.
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About the Author
Kristin McCollum is a travel writer that has spent the past year traveling and working throughout Europe and Mexico. Now settled on the Yucatan Peninsula, she finds inspiration in every person she meets and in the natural beauty which surrounds her. Follow Kristin onTwitter.
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gabbie hulbert
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