Every year , from April to July , it's possible to see some remarkable creatures grace Galveston's beaches . Imagine seeing a majestic sea turtle emerging from the waves , determined to make its way up the shore to lay its eggs . Sea turtles are a significant part of the Texas coastal ecosystem .
Let's look into three incredible sea turtle species that call the Texas coast home the loggerhead , the green sea turtle and the Kemp's Ridley sea turtle . While you're more likely to see one poking its nose out of the water to breathe , sea turtles also visit the Galveston beaches to nest and lay eggs .
Between April and July of every year , female sea turtles come ashore multiple times to lay several batches of around 100 eggs per nest . Some of these turtles travel thousands of miles across the ocean to lay several batches of around 100 eggs per nest .
Some of these turtles travel thousands of miles across the ocean to lay their eggs in the same place they hatched years ago . Three species of sea turtles might be seen along the Texas coast . The most common is the loggerhead sea turtle , which can live 70 years or more . These turtles are usually 2 1⁄2 to 3 feet long and weigh between 200 and 350 pounds .
Loggerhead sea turtles are mainly carnivores and they use their powerful jaws to crush crabs and mollusks . The largest and heaviest of the three is the green sea turtle , coming in at 3 to 4 feet long and weighing a whopping 300 to 400 pounds . While not as common as loggerheads , green sea turtles also visit Texas beaches to nest .
Green sea turtles are herbivores and they get their greenish color from the seagrasses and algae that they eat . This species lives just as long as the loggerhead A good rule of thumb when it comes to sea turtles the larger the turtle species , the longer the turtle lives . The third species , the Kemp's Ridley , is the state sea turtle of Texas .
It is also the smallest and most critically endangered species of sea turtle in the world . Once they reach adulthood , the Kemp's Ridley is roughly 2 feet long and weighs between 70 and 100 pounds . These turtles also have the shortest known lifespan , with most living to at least 30 years .
They usually prefer to eat crab , but they also feed on small fish , mollusks and plants . Most of the Kemp's Ridley turtles nest in Mexico , but the area surrounding Galveston Island is the northernmost nesting range for the species .
Unlike the loggerheads and green sea turtles , which nest at night , the Kemp's Ridley comes to shore during the daytime to nest , which is why you'll see biologists and volunteers scanning the beach for sea turtles during the day . All three of these species are listed as threatened or endangered .
Sea turtles have a unique and intricate process for digging their nests on the beach , which they perform with remarkable precision . Female sea turtles emerge from the ocean typically at night , except for the Kemp's Ridley which nest during the day . They crawl to a suitable spot on the beach above the high tide line , where the sand is dry and stable .
These mother turtles use their front flippers to clear away the dry surface sand , creating a shallow depression known as the body pit . Using her rear flippers , the turtle alternates scooping motions to dig a hole . After a hole is dug to about 1 to 2 feet , the mother turtle begins to lay her eggs .
This can be up to 100 sea turtle eggs , depending on the species . The mother turtle begins to cover the eggs with sand and when completely covered , she then begins to disguise the nest from predators by throwing sand around with her front flippers , making the top of the nest look like it's part of the beach landscape .
Once the nest is well covered and camouflaged , the turtle makes her way back out to the ocean . No-transcript . If you've ever been walking on Galveston's beaches , you've likely walked by a sea turtle nest and didn't even know it . Many beaches in Texas are drivable . If you happen to be driving on the beach , drive slowly day or night .
Keep an eye out for turtles and hatchlings that might be stuck or hiding in tire tracks . Litter and trash , especially plastic , is a threat . Sea turtles face in both the ocean and on land , so picking up litter along the beach is crucial .
Plastic floating in the ocean can look a lot like a jellyfish or some other delicious snack to a sea turtle , but they can easily die from eating trash . Picking up even one piece of litter as you leave the beach can make a difference .
The best way to help protect these turtle species is by reporting sea turtles nests and even tracks that you see on the beach . If you spot a turtle or any signs of one , make sure to report it to the appropriate authority . In Texas . You can call the Turtle Island Restoration Network at 1-866-TURTLE-5 .
The Sea Turtle Rescue Team responds to any sick , injured , entangled or dead sea turtles that strand along the upper Texas coast . If you see a live turtle or turtle eggs , make sure to keep your distance and don't handle the turtle or the eggs .
All three species of sea turtles have a better chance of survival if they're left alone and their nests can be monitored by local scientists . From natural predators to human-made threats , these turtle species need all the help they can get . Whether it's driving carefully on the beach , picking up litter or reporting turtle sightings . Every action counts .
We can ensure that these magnificent turtles continue to grace our beaches for generations to come .