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There was a nest in front of our neighbor's place, so the neighbors stood vigil over the nest. They picked up all the emerging babies and took them to the water, so no birds or anything would get them.
I was glad they protected them, but it occurred to me that maybe the babies NEED that sprint over the sand to the water to develop their new muscles, in order to cope in the sea? I was reminded of a well-meaning kid that "helped" a hatching butterfly to get out of its cocoon, which ended up killing it.
I'm glad they increased their astronomical odds by at least getting to the water....
There was a nest in front of our neighbor's place, so the neighbors stood vigil over the nest. They picked up all the emerging babies and took them to the water, so no birds or anything would get them.
I was glad they protected them, but it occurred to me that maybe the babies NEED that sprint over the sand to the water to develop their new muscles, in order to cope in the sea? I was reminded of a well-meaning kid that "helped" a hatching butterfly to get out of its cocoon, which ended up killing it.
I'm glad they increased their astronomical odds by at least getting to the water....
I agree with you. Best not to interfere with nature. They hatch and travel towards the sea at night, usually. No birds are around at that time. It's in the water that it a difficult struggle to live occurs...
I have watched turtles hatching and then making it to sea, an awesome thing...
some turtle patrols will shine flashlights to show them the way to sea....but otherwise they are left on their own.
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"I don't understand. But I don't care, so it works out."
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I agree best not to interfere. I do approve of the beach communities who turn off artificial light during that time, so the turtles don't get confused on which way to go.
Otherwise, you're not allowing survival of the fittest to rule. Also, you're denying the birds a life-sustaining diet.
Thanks for finding this. Really states it well. I forwarded it to our neighbors in case this wonderful event happens again. They have Rottweilers so I am surprised the mother turtle thought that was a good spot!
But then, I suppose her ancestors had been coming to that spot long before the neighbors were there...
I agree best not to interfere. I do approve of the beach communities who turn off artificial light during that time, so the turtles don't get confused on which way to go.
...and thereby denying the turtles an opportunity to adapt to their new habitat. A habitat that now includes city lights and natural light. Just think, if there was a turtle in that those towns that had an adaptation to avoid artificial light, it never made it to sea. All the while, hundreds of less evolutionary fit individuals did.
Unlike you, I think it best not to interfere.
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