A sea turtle is making a big splash for nesting at a Southern California beach in September.
An olive ridley sea turtle dug and laid eggs on a beach near Seal Beach in Orange County on Sept. 16, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries West Coast. It’s the “first-ever recorded natural nesting for any sea turtle species on the U.S. West Coast.”
Just days later, a sea turtle was observed again near the Huntington Beach Pier, which is south of Seal Beach. NOAA Fisheries said it’s unclear whether this is the same turtle or a different one.
Officials will monitor the nest throughout the incubation period, which typically lasts for 45-60 days. Both areas are fenced and protected, and NOAA Fisheries urged beachgoers not
to disturb these sites.
Olive Ridley sea turtles are named for the olive color of their shell and are one of the smallest sea turtle species, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
NOAA Fisheries says they’re found primarily in the tropical regions of the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic oceans. NOAA Fisheries said large nesting populations occur in Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.
NOAA Fisheries lists breeding colony populations on Mexico’s Pacific Coast as endangered, and all other populations as threatened.
Though their lifespan is unknown, these turtles are estimated to live between 30 and 50 years.
It comes as Southern California beachgoers have been treated to fascinating marine wildlife sightings all year, such as the “by-the-wind sailors” washing up along the Golden State’s coast and a rare hammerhead shark sighting near Gaviota Beach in Santa Barbara County.
Marine biology professor Chris Lowe told the USA TODAY Network earlier this year that an El Niño can bring other shark species into Southern California that aren't normally seen in the region.
Paris Barraza is a reporter covering Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at pbarraza@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sea turtle nesting at SoCal beach may be a first for the West Coast
