You Can Watch Baby Sea Turtles Hatch All Summer Long On This Texas Beach
By Katie Lawrence|Published June 17, 2019
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
One of our favorite pastimes here in Texas is back for another season! If you’ve never witnessed newborn Kemp’s ridley sea turtles making their way into the ocean, it’s truly a bucket-list-worthy experience.
Beginning annually around the middle of June, thousands of baby Kemp’s ridley sea turtles make their way into the ocean. Last Friday was the first release, consisting of 61 hatchlings.
A total of 166 nests have been discovered so far this year. However, the potential that more exist is likely since it is so early in the season. Despite this promising information, it’s very difficult to predict when the turtles will be ready for release since they hatch underground.
That being said, experts have put together a tentative calendar of projected hatch dates. June 23-27 is forecast to be the next largest release, followed by July 5-9, July 12-17, and July 20-24.
In addition to the babies, you just might catch a glimpse of adult female Kemp’s ridley turtles nesting on the beach. Staff members love when these mamas are around because it alerts them to where the little ones will hatch from.
Figuring out where the nests are located before hatching occurs is vital for ensuring the turtles’ safety. Staff will collect the eggs ahead of time to protect them from perils like predators, erratic drivers, and high tides. They’ll be returned to the sand when it’s time for release.
141 of the nests are located on Padre Island, with most centered around the National Seashore area. While you could technically witness the turtles hatching anywhere along the Gulf Coast, SPI truly has the highest probability.
Have you ever watched the Kemp’s ridley sea turtles hatch? If so, is a trip on the agenda this year? Let us know all about your plans and past experiences! For more family-friendly activities you can only enjoy during summertime in Texas, check out 15 Unforgettable Things You Must Add To Your Texas Summer Bucket List.
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