Caretta Caretta and Green turtles visit Northern Cyprus

If nature is your thing, and you are fascinated by ancient mammals of the world, then North Cyprus has a special suprise for you…Sea Turtles of North Cyprus There are two main types of sea turtles nesting along the coasts of Northern Cyprus; Caretta-Caretta and Green turtles. Both these turtles are endangered and are under strict protection.The Caretta-Caretta turtle is a large turtle similar to the green turtle, with a relatively longer head. Its colour is reddish brown or brown, attaining a shell length of about 0.7 – 2.1m, it usually weighs about 135kg, but larger specimens weighing up to 400kg have been recorded. The Caretta Caretta is commonly called the “loggerhead” sea turtle due to their overly large heads which is comprised of a horny beak which is significantly thicker than in other sea turtles. This species is the largest hard-shelled turtle in the world.

The Green sea turtle, Chelonia mydas, is a Chelonian – which means it has four legs and a tough shell made of two parts which join at the sides. The Green sea turtle’s legs are shaped like flippers. Their heads are lizard-like, with a hooked beak and toothless jaw. Adult Green sea turtles may grow up to 99 cm long and weigh 180 kg.

Every year, since 1992, a team of staff and students from British Universities have been involved in the annual monitoring and conservation to conduct a survey of the marina turtle nesting and hatching activities in Northern Cyprus.

In the Mediterranean there are estimated to be only 300 – 500 Green and 2000 Caretta-Caretta females nesting annually. It is also estimated that each female lays an average of three nests in any season, with each female nesting every two to three years.

You also have the opportunity to experience with your own eyes and share this one hundred million year old wonder at “Alagadi” Beach. After sunset, when it is dark you will watch the turtles making their way up the beach to nest their amazing mother-of-pearl shimmering eggs, the size of a table tennis ball. They lay between 65 – 110 eggs, depending on the species. This can be reported three to five times for each, 10 – 15 days apart. The best times to observe the nesting is at the end of June beginning of July. The best times to observe the hatchling is August to mid September.

Alagadi Beach is not only for the nesting and hatching of turtles but also an amazing bay beach that is open for public use 8.00am – 8.00pm everyday.

Have you seen the green turtles? why not tell other travellers the experience and what to expect?