Up close and personal
Museum goers see turtle lay eggs on the beach
It was the perfect night for a sea turtle walk.
The sky was filled with dark, billowing clouds, veiling the stars. And it had just rained, clearing Fort Lauderdale beach of most visitors, leaving the sand free for turtles.
On a recent Wednesday evening, 30 turtle lovers gathered at the Museum of Discovery & Science to learn about the nesting habits of the loggerhead sea turtle and then headed to the beach, guided by museum staff in hopes of seeing a turtle lay eggs.
“Rain is a good sign,” said museum guide Michael Aguinaga. “The beach empties and the turtles poke their heads out of the water, checking to see that they’re alone.”
Guides Aguinaga, Jim Ressegieu and Tanzy Wilson covered the rules for the turtle enthusiasts: If one comes out of the water where you are, freeze. Turtles are sensitive to smells, sounds and movement, Ressegieu said. “You don’t want to scare her back into the water.”
The guides fanned out over the sand, searching for the tell-tale tracks, skirting roped-off areas where signs warn of nests, and communicating with each other by two-way radio.
Nathan Arnold, a 9-year-old from Los Angeles visiting family and friends, tried to be patient but had a lot of questions.
“How will we know it’s a loggerhead and not a green sea turtle?” he asked. “Has a turtle ever laid eggs on top of other turtles’ eggs? And do you really think we’ll see one tonight?”
Museum officials don’t guarantee a sighting, but conditions are good on this night, and soon good news comes over the radio.
“Exciting news! The guys on the radio said a turtle is coming out of the water,” said Nathan, jumping up beside his mother, Annalea Arnold. “This is really big for me. I’ve never seen a real turtle like this before.”
The guides wave the group to a spot down the beach. There, onlookers watched as a sea turtle made her way up the sand and, using her back flippers, dug a body pit. Lowering herself into the hole, she began dropping her soft eggs into the chamber.
She then covered her nest, using her back flippers to pat the sand down. She camouflaged the area by tossing sand about, then turned and powered her way back down the beach and into the water, never to see her babies again. They will hatch in 55 days.
“I can’t believe how big the turtle is,” Nathan whispered. “So beautiful. I never thought I’d see something like this, a turtle actually laying eggs. I’m never going to forget this.”
Observer Jay Hollenkamp, of Pompano Beach, was similarly moved.
“It feels like an honor, a privilege, to see something very few people get to see,” he said. “It feels like a rare, precious moment.”
The Moonlight Sea Turtle Walks are offered from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Tuesday-Thursday through July 9 starting at the museum, 401 SW Second St. Cost is $18 for museum members, $20 for nonmembers, and reservations are required.
Call 954-713-0930.