Loggerhead Turtle

One of our local turtles often seen in Argostoli harbour near the small fishing caiques. Photo and copyright Neil Medhurst Photography.
website www.neilmedhurst.com
email neilmed@otenet.gr

This photo of Tommy in Argostoli was sent in by Ben Heyes. Thanks Ben!

The Loggerhead turtle is the only turtle known to nest in Greece. It can be distinguished from other turtles by its large head and reddish-brown shell. It can reach a length of one metre and weigh over 100 kilos. In Greece, Loggerheads lay during the night up to four nests per season with over 100 eggs in each. They lay their eggs in a chamber that they dig in the sand about 10 - 30 metres from the water's edge. The turtles on Kefalonia include about 80 females which lay an average of 4 nests each season on Mounda, their main nesting beach. The nesting season lasts from June to the beginning of August. The eggs will hatch about two months after the time they were laid. Turtles have been found on all the southern sandy beaches. If you want to sea an adult turtle, they mate near the Drapano bridge in Argostoli and along the harbour where the fishermen sell their fish from their caique at around 11.00 a.m. there is often a large turtle waiting for fishy tit-bits.

Please do not go down to the beach at night in search of turtles as this could scare them away and stop the females coming out of the water to lay their eggs. Sandcastles and torches will disorientate these animals. Please flatten any sand castles and fill in any pits before leaving the beach so hatchlings have an easy path to the sea. It is best not to use any beach-umbrellas to be sure not disturb the nests.


Be turtle-friendly and follow the turtle code:

Please place them below the high tide line. By putting your beach umbrella in the wetter sand, you will ensure you will not pierce a turtle's nest. Loggerhead turtles only nest in the dry sand between the high tide line and the top part of the sand dunes. This stops the nests becoming flooded and drowning the eggs. It also allows the eggs to breathe during gestation. On Mounda beach the nests are not clearly visible and this is to stop human interference with the nests. If the stake hits a nest and pierces just one egg, the bacteria will destroy the whole nest.

Before leaving the beach, flatten your sandcastles and leave the beach smooth . Sandcastles and litter are significant hazards for both the female nesting turtle and the emerging hatchlings. Hatchlings emerge from the nest in the cool of the night and use the light of the moon and stars reflected on the Mediterranean to find their way to the water. In their rush they don't recognise obstacles such as litter, sandcastles or trenches which may trap or disorientate the young hatchling and they will be prevented from reaching the sea.

Place your litter in a bin or take it with you. When the female loggerheads crawl up the beach to lay their eggs they become very exposed and are therefore very wary of interference. Crawling into an obstruction such as litter or a sandcastle will disturb a female from her nesting. She will return to the water without laying and if she doesn't have sufficient time to make another journey to the beach on the following night she will dump her eggs in the sea and the potential hatchlings will be lost.

If you do see a hatchling in the day, please do not help it into the water.

Don't camp or drive on the beach. Lights and noise from camping activity scares away turtles and disorientates the young hatchlings. Driving vehicles on the beach compresses the loose sand on top of the nests which suffocates the nest and makes it difficult for any live hatchlings to crawl out.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zN1l2gUPjfA&feature=youtu.be

Short film by Peter Lee DJ and turtle volunteer on Kefalonia

The Greek word for turtle is 'Helona' and for extensive information about the Caretta Caretta variety of loggerhead turtles, as well as other turtles of the world, see the website of the World Chelonian Trust which is concerned with the conservation and care of these endangered animals. www.chelonia.org