T wo species of turtles nest in Cyprus, the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta). Both species are threatened by extinction in the Mediterranean. In this sea the Green Turtle nowadays nests almost exclusively in Cyprus and Turkey. Loggerheads nest also in Greece and in small numbers in several other countries in the eastern Mediterranean. It is estimated that the current nesting population in the Mediter- ranean is about 500-600 female Green turtles and 5,000-6,000 Log- gerhead turtles. In the past they were found in much larger numbers. Between 1900 and 1960 about 100.000 of turtles, mainly Green turtles, were exported to Europe from the east Mediterranean for turtle soup. In Cyprus Green turtles now nest on the surf-swept west coast beaches of Lara/Toxeftra and on some beaches on the north coast and the Karpas. Loggerheads also nest in the Lara/Toxeftra area but their main nesting beaches are in the Polis/Limni area in Chrysochou Bay. About Turtles: Turtles are reptiles. They evolved on land and went back to the sea. That is why they breathe air and come up on land to lay their eggs. They live for more than 60 years. Loggerhead turtles feed on jellyfish and on a variety of bottom living animals. Green turtles are herbivorous and feed on sea-grasses. Turtles have no ears but are sensitive to certain sound frequencies. They have good eyesight. Reproduction: Green turtles mature when they are 25-30 years old and Loggerheads when they are about 15-20 years old. They lay their eggs every 2-5 years. Mating takes place at sea. Loggerheads start nesting at the end of May and usually finish by mid August. Green turtles start and finish about two weeks later. In the season a turtle may lay 3-5 clutches of round, leathery eggs. Loggerheads lay about 80 eggs in each clutch and Greens about 120. The Loggerheads lay their eggs in chambers about 30-50 cm deep and the Green turtles about 50-80 cm deep. Nesting takes place at night. The eggs incubate with the heat of the sun and hatch about 7 weeks later. Sex determination depends on temperature. High temperatures produce females and low temperatures produce males. At about 29-30 0 C about half of the hatchlings produced are male and the other half female. So eggs laid early in the season tend to produce more males and late nests more females. Turtles imprint on their natal beaches, which means that when they mature they will return to nest on the beaches they themselves hatched on. Turtles and lights: Turtle hatchlings are attracted to light. Their instinct tells them that the lightest part on the horizon is the way to the sea. If there are artificial lights near the beach the hatchlings will be disorientated and will go towards these lights instead of going to the sea. If they do not reach the sea quickly they will fall prey to foxes or if they stay on land during the day they will die of heat. Nesting females are also very wary of lights and movement on the beaches when they come up to lay their eggs. If disturbed they will go back to the sea. If disturbed on consecutive nights they will drop their eggs in the sea. This is why the public are not allowed on the beaches at night Predation and other dangers: In Cyprus the main predator is the fox. On some beaches, more than 80% of the eggs or hatchlings are eaten by foxes if they are not protected. Some nests may also be covered by the sea and perish as they are laid too near the water. Driving on the beaches can destroy nests while deep tyre marks prevent hatchlings from reaching the sea. Conservation: The Cyprus Turtle Conservation Project was set up by the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research in 1978, following surveys in 1976 and 1977. It is the first such project in the Mediterranean. The project Green Turtle Green Turtle laying Toxeftra beach showing nesting activity Green hutchling (white belly) and loggerhead (all black) Measuring a Green Turtle Tagging a Green Turtle Training course at Lara