Agency says sea turtle eggs laid on California beaches are a first for the US West Coast

A rare olive ridley sea turtle has made history by laying eggs on California’s beaches, marking the first documented instance of this species nesting on the U.S. West Coast. The initial sighting occurred near Seal Beach when beachgoers thought they spotted an injured turtle but discovered it was digging a nest instead. Three days later, another nest was found in Huntington Beach, suggesting that possibly the same turtle is responsible for both nests. NOAA Fisheries experts are monitoring the unusual daytime nesting behavior and note that there could be more undiscovered nests along the coast. The incubation period lasts roughly 45 to 60 days, with temperature playing a key role in determining whether new olive ridley turtles will hatch from these nests. This event is significant as it may indicate changing migration patterns due to environmental factors affecting the species.