Belize Audubon Society News

On the morning of July 16, a park biologist from Half Moon Caye Natural Monument observed fresh tracks of six sea turtles on the beach of Half Moon Caye.   Three species of sea turtles are known to nest in Belize- the green, loggerhead, and hawksbill.

The warmth of the sun incubates the eggs and in about two months time, tiny baby turtles will emerge from their shells, collectively scrape their way to the surface, and dash to the sea. Did you know that sex determination in hatchlings is temperature dependent? Once the females reach maturity they will return to the same beach every 2-3 years to lay eggs. Their journey from foraging to nesting grounds may be more than 1,000 miles. Male turtles will spend their entire lives at sea.

If you don’t want to miss the baby sea turtles’ first steps into this world, plan your visit to Half Moon Caye Natural Monument in September. Contact the Belize Audubon Society for information about camping on Half Moon Caye.

Protecting turtle nesting habitat is important because female turtles faithfully return to the same beach where they hatched.