Rare sea turtle lays eggs in first documented West Coast nesting
A female olive ridley sea turtle is making history along the Southern California shoreline, with two nests documented in Orange County, California,, according to NOAA Fisheries.
"This is our first-ever documented case of a nest for an olive ridley turtle here on the West Coast," said Justin Viezbicke of NOAA Fisheries. "This is a highly endangered and protected species."
The first nest was discovered after the turtle was captured on camera last week in Seal Beach, laying eggs and covering the nest. A second sighting occurred in Huntington Beach, where the turtle, believed to be the same female, was seen laying eggs before returning to the ocean.
Viezbicke said the turtle's behavior has been unusual.
"Typically, they do it during the night. This one has been a little abnormal in the fact she came up during the day and right as the sun was setting," he said. "There is potential there could be other nests we do not know about."
Both nesting sites have been cordoned off and warning signs posted to protect the areas.
The public is being asked to stay away from the nests, so the eggs have the best chance of hatching.
Officials said each nest contains an estimated 50 to 100 eggs, though it will be weeks before hatchlings could emerge, if they hatch at all.
Temperature plays a major role in the incubation process, which takes between 45 and 60 days.
