It’s Turtle Time!

By DINA ARÉVALO
Port Isabel-South Padre Press
editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com

It’s sea turtle hatchling season on South Padre Island!

Right now, hundreds of Kemp’s ridley sea turtle eggs are incubating in the warmth and safety of their sandy nests. Under the watchful eye of staff and volunteers at Sea Turtle Inc. (STI) the turtles will eventually hatch and make their way to the welcoming waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

And, if the timing is just right, you can witness the magic of a Kemp’s ridley hatchling taking those first steps to the water during a public hatchling release. Sea Turtle Inc. hosts the releases anytime a nest hatches near dawn.

It’s hard to predict exactly when a nest of eggs will hatch, but STI provides nightly updates via Facebook or twitter, and via the Hatchling Hotline, a phone recording that’s updated each evening and morning throughout hatching season. Folks who sign up to become members of STI will also receive text message alerts the morning of a release.

So, if you want to catch a glimpse of one of the rarest sea turtles in the world, call, go online, and set your coffee pot to perk at dawn.

Want the whole story? Pick up a copy of the Port Isabel-South Padre Press, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2017/06/23/its-turtle-time/

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