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The latest news from Los Cabos Tours & Activities
C ab N
ewsletter
September 2014
Que pasa en Cabo?
In this month’s issue
Turtles are here! Olive ridleys get their name from the coloring of their heart-shaped shell, which starts out gray but becomes olive green once the turtles are adults. They have one to two visible claws on each of their paddle-like flippers.
The olive ridley turtle is named for the generally greenish color of its skin and shell, or carapace. It is closely related to the Kemp’s ridley, with the primary distinction being that olive ridleys are found only in warmer waters, including the southern Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Que pasa en Cabo?
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Turtles
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Fast facts
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Land’s End activities
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The Cabo Highlights
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Olive Ridley Sea Turtle Range
Olive and Kemp’s ridleys are the smallest of the sea turtles, weighing up to 100 pounds (45 kilograms) and reaching only about 2 feet (65 centimeters) in shell length. The olive ridley has a slightly smaller head and smaller shell than the Kemp’s. These turtles are solitary, preferring the open ocean. They migrate hundreds or even thousands of miles every year, and come together as a group only once a year for the arribada, when females return to the beaches where they hatched and lumber onshore, sometimes in the thousands, to nest.
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Fast Facts Type: Reptile Diet: Omnivore Average life span in the wild: 50 years Size: 2 to 2.5 ft (62 to 70 cm) Weight: Up to 100 lbs (45 kg) Protection status: Endangered Did you know? Male olive ridleys can be distinguished from females by their tails, which stick out beyond their carapace. Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man:
The olive ridley is mostly carnivorous, feeding on such creatures as jellyfish, snails, crabs, and shrimp. They will occasionally eat algae and seaweed as well. Hatchlings, most of which perish before reaching the ocean, are preyed on by crabs, raccoons, pigs, snakes, and birds, among others. Adults are often taken by sharks. Though the olive ridley is widely considered the most abundant of the marine turtles, by all estimates, it is in trouble. Rough estimates put the worldwide population of nesting females at about 800,000, but its numbers, particularly in the western Atlantic, have declined precipitously. The United States lists the western Atlantic population of olive ridleys as endangered and all other populations as threatened. Many governments have protections for olive ridleys, but still, eggs are taken and nesting females are slaughtered for their meat and skin. Fishing nets also take a large toll, frequently snagging and drowning these turtles.
These turtles are solitary, preferring the open ocean. They migrate hundreds or even thousands of miles every year, and come together as a group only once a year for the arribada, when females return to the beaches where they hatched and lumber onshore, sometimes in the thousands, to nest. Olive ridleys have nesting sites all over the world, on tropical and subtropical beaches. During nesting, they use the wind and the tide to help them reach the beach. Females lay about a hundred eggs, but may nest up to three times a year. The nesting season is from June to December.
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Turtle Release Turtle Release tours are a wildlife conservation program in which you can adopt a baby turtle and help release it into the ocean. You will not only help in the preservation of the species but you will also learn about the turtles and their habitat. Prepare to release your turtles into the wild as the nests are liberated and watch first hand as they start their new life in the ocean. tour includes Round Trip Transportation Expert Bilingual Naturalist Guide Adoption Certificate Bottled Water tour excludes Snacks & Gratuities operates & duration August to November / 3 hour tour Departure: 6:00 pm on Summer 5:00 pm on Winter reservations@bookcabo.com
Lands end activities
www.bookcabo.com
The Arch kayaking & Snorkeling Kayak on the Sea of Cortez to the famous Arch of Cabo San Lucas, enjoying the spectacular granite rock formations that line the bay. You will visit Land’s End where you can watch sea lions in their natural habitat. Explore where the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean meet by landing at Lover’s Beach. After a brief scenic trek to Divorce Beach, you will be able to take in the awe-inspiring power of the Pacific Ocean.Then it’s off to Pelican Rock for a snorkeling adventure where you will discover the incredible sea life that lies beneath the water’s surface.
Highlights:
Iconic landmarks of Cabo San Lucas. Snorkeling at the well known Pelican Rock. See where the Sea of Cortez and Pacific Ocean meet. reservations@bookcabo.com www.bookcabo.com
This is the ideal experience for first time kayakers!
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Los Cabos Newsletter
Cabo Highlights 6
1 Do It All! one day introduction to your destination with 6 activities included in one tour. Climb aboard a Glass Bottom Boat and take a ride that includes a visit to the famous Arch, the age old rock formations and the Sea Lions colony at land’s End. Get a Tequila sample and enjoy free time for some of the best shopping in Cabo San Lucas. Sail on a catamaran from Cabo San Lucas in Mexico's Sea of Cortez and explore the Baja California coast as we make our way to Santa Maria Bay to snorkel among the marine life in the calm clear waters of the bay. When the catamaran sets anchor, you can snorkel, swim or just relax onboard and enjoy complimentary national drinks and a light lunch. This is a day not to be missed!! Highlights:
Witness the iconic landmarks of Cabo San Lucas.
Enjoy free time for some shopping.
Set sail on an exciting adventure.
Snorkeling in spectacular Santa Maria Bay.
Complementary national drinks and light lunch.
reservations@bookcabo.com www.bookcabo.com
Mexico: T + 52 (624) 142-9200 · F + 52 (624) 142-3166 US & Canada: T + 1 855 40 LOSCABOS (56722) + 1 855 40 TERRAMAR (83772) Address: Paseo de Las Misiones Mzna. 1 Lote 3 Campo de Golf Fonatur, San José del Cabo B.C.S. México, C.P. 23406 E mail: info@bookcabo.com