Sea Turtles
Immerse yourself in the magic of Sea Turtles, they have their home in virgin and protected beaches, offering a unique wildlife spectacle.
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Every year, Michoacán’s beaches, such as Playa Azul, Colola and Ixtapilla, become natural sanctuaries where three species of sea turtles-the leatherback, black and olive ridley-arrive to carry out their nesting ritual.
During the month of October, when the arrival of these turtles reaches its peak, coastal communities dedicate their time and effort to the conservation of these species, creating an environment conducive to their protection and celebrating their presence with festivals and cultural events that highlight the importance of these endangered creatures.
Turtle sightings vary according to the season: the olive ridley turtle nests between June and December, the black turtle between October and December, and the leatherback, the largest and oldest turtle, between December and March.
The protection of the receiving beaches is in the hands of the local communities themselves, backed by the government, who together have worked tirelessly to preserve these critical habitats, ensuring that this amazing migratory phenomenon continues year after year.
Michoacán is home to sanctuaries designated by the Federation as protected areas for sea turtles, ancestral beings that have inhabited the Earth for more than 100 million years and play a vital role in the ecological balance of the oceans. The most important sanctuaries are located in Maruata-Colola and Mexiquillo, along with several turtle camps along the Michoacan coast, all of them witnesses of this impressive natural cycle.
Leatherback Turtle
- The leatherback turtle is the fastest sea turtle, reaching speeds of up to 35 kilometers per hour in the water.
- With more than 100 million years of existence, leatherback turtles are one of the oldest species of turtles.
- This species can dive to depths of up to 1,200 meters and remain underwater for more than an hour, surpassing any other sea turtle.
- Unlike other turtles, the leatherback has a carapace composed of skin and blubber, rather than hard scutes, which allows it to adapt to high pressures in deep water.
Black Turtle
- Black turtles are carnivorous in their youth, but become herbivorous as they mature, feeding mainly on seagrasses and algae.
- If they can overcome the multiple threats they face, black turtles can live more than 80 years in the wild.
- Black turtle hatchlings measure only 5 centimeters at birth, but as adults they can grow to over one meter in length.
Olive Ridley Turtle
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