Bootes has been nesting on Juno Beach for 23 years.
Bootes (pronounced “Boh-Tees”) has been nesting on Juno Beach for a staggering 23 years.
She is one of the 10 largest leatherback sea turtles ever recorded by LMC.
Credit:Loggerhead Marinelife Center
Researchers illuminated the scene with a special red light that is less intrusive to nesting sea turtles and hatchlings.
Leatherbacks are the largest turtles on Earth, growing up to seven feet long and exceeding 2,000 pounds.
It’s estimated that the global population has declined 40 percent over the past three generations.
Credit:Loggerhead Marinelife Center
The nesting season for leatherback sea turtles runs from March to July.
Female leatherbacks nest every two to four years.
The eggs incubate approximately two months before leatherback hatchlings emerge from the nest.
Under natural conditions, roughly 10% of hatchlings will be eaten by predators on the beach.
Only 6% of those will last the first year.
