Guatemala
Sand Origin
Monterrico beach
Random Sand Fact
On Guatemala’s black beaches, the temperature of the sand can determine whether turtle hatchlings develop as female or male.
Sea turtles bury their eggs in dark volcanic sand along the Pacific coast. The temperature of the sand controls development in the nest and, in olive ridley turtles, also influences the sex of the hatchlings.
Dark sand absorbs more solar heat than pale sand. On Guatemala’s volcanic beaches, researchers have measured temperatures that are often above the level producing an even sex ratio and sometimes close to what embryos can tolerate.
At hatcheries, shade is used among other measures to keep the sand cooler and give the eggs better conditions for development.
