| These fascinating creatures come ashore on the | | | | live but they have been suggested to live up to 160 |
| deserted beaches of North Cyprus between May and | | | | years old. |
| August to nest and Alagadi Beach is classified as a | | | | They are two species of marine turtles that find |
| special protected area. | | | | themselves nesting in the North Cyprus Mediterranean |
| While on your trip in Northern Cyprus, you may be | | | | and they would be the loggerhead, caretta caretta and |
| intrigued to know that this is home to some of the | | | | the green turtle (chelonia mydas) the grand total |
| most significant turtle housing beaches in the | | | | number of both of these turtles has said to be a |
| Mediterranean. The two species that live and nest in | | | | estimated 300-400 for the green and 2000 for the |
| Northern Cyprus are endangered species. Just about | | | | logghead females that nest each and every single |
| 10% of the loggerhead and 30% of the green turtles in | | | | year. Both of these species of sea turtles are |
| the Mediterranean nest in Northern Cyprus. Bearing in | | | | endangered , more so with the green turtles. It has said |
| mind that as little as 300-400 green and 2000 | | | | to be that North Cyprus and Turkey seem to be the |
| loggerhead turtles are likely to live each year in the | | | | only nesting grounds these turtles come to love. There |
| complete Mediterranean, it is critical that people do all | | | | is over 80 beaches along North Cyprus that between |
| they can to help and protect these near endangered | | | | may and October and monitored closely for the |
| species. | | | | precious turtle activity. |
| These North Cyprus Marine turtles start their lives on | | | | While on your stay in North Cyprus and wish to see |
| land, where they come out to emerge from eggs, just | | | | these lovely creatures you may indulge in a boating |
| after 45-60 days of incubation on land and in the sand. | | | | experience of the shore and see these turtles |
| When these turtles hatch and emerge they then begin | | | | swimming, and with many places to see at night you |
| to make the attempt to reach the sea, they swim | | | | might catch a glimpse of these night nesting turtles. |
| anxiously out to sea waters where they stay put for | | | | Group of Ecologists and students have been |
| the remaining years of their lives, the only break in this | | | | observing and helping to protect these rare animals |
| would be when a adult female will come to shore and | | | | from extinction for a number of years. |
| lay her eggs. | | | | Some general information for you to keep on hand: |
| It is projected that only one single hatchling out from | | | | Mating time for these turtles is May/June |
| two thousand will make it and survive to full adult life | | | | Hatching time is Aug/Sep |
| and maturity. As soon as they are 25-30 years old, | | | | Nesting time is June/July |
| and reach 1-2 meters in length, the adult females and | | | | I hope that by through this article you can take away |
| males with set out and migrate to waters off nesting | | | | some general information on sea turtles in North |
| beaches to eat and reproduce. For the duration of a | | | | Cyprus. If ever in the area on vacation or stay pay a |
| nesting season a female lays 3-4 nests, each carrying | | | | visit to these wonderful beautiful creatures. |
| just about 100 eggs. she will nest every 1-3 years and | | | | Visitors are welcome to observe this exciting |
| will always return to the exact same beaches. There | | | | experience!!! |
| is no exact number on how long these marine turtles | | | | |