Jaco Beach is a haven for biodiversity, in spite of it's rapid growth it is still very much where the jungle meets the ocean, with everything from crocodiles in the rivers, sloths and monkeys in the trees and beautiful sea turtles that return every year to lay their eggs. Many years ago Jaco had a sea turtle hatchery, sadly it was closed but we are happy to say once again our community collaborated together and through volunteers have created a new hatchery that will allow for the sea turtle's eggs to be safeguarded until they're ready to hatch. Another hatchery has also been opened in hermosa where rich black volcanic sands also host this species, Kemps Ridley
Pictured here is an olive ridley sea turtle! Here are some interesting facts about this incredible species:
| Size | Olive Ridley Sea Turtles, known for their petite size, typically measure between 50 and 70 centimeters. |
| Lifespan | These remarkable creatures have a lifespan of around 60 years, showcasing their longevity. |
| Temperature-Dependent Sex | What's fascinating is that the sex of the hatchlings is determined by the temperature in the sand where they incubate. The warmer temperatures tend to produce more females, while cooler temperatures lead to male hatchlings. |
| Hatching Period | Olive Ridley Sea Turtle hatchlings typically emerge from their nests 45 to 60 days after the initial nesting event, embarking on their incredible journey to the sea. |
| Nesting Size | Each nest can contain up to 100 eggs, emphasizing the significance of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtles' reproduction in preserving their species and contributing to the ecosystem. |
Another little known fact about this species is that this particular sea turtle can only been seen on the Pacific Coast of the country, coming in what we call "arribadas" or arrivals, which signify a large number of turtles coming to lay their eggs at the same time, although this more commonly happens in the north around Ostional, we still get to witness the magic of nature's display on our shores every year starting in July and ending in February.
If you are living in the Jaco area and would like join our communities efforts please email us. [email protected]
