THE beach is totally deserted. Suddenly, and seemingly out of nowhere, reptiles emerge in their thousands from the sea, clambering onto the sand. A few days later, they’re gone again. It’s cited as one of the most spectacular manifestations of reptile life anywhere: the arribada.
“Reptiles emerge in their thousands from the sea”
Arribada is a Spanish word meaning “arrival by sea” and refers to the mass nesting behaviour exhibited by Kemp’s Ridley and Olive Ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii and L. olivacea). Although a few sea turtle species nest collectively, Ridleys nest in much larger numbers and with…
