GALVESTON, Texas — Surf and sand along the Texas coast attract throngs of visitors.
Experts say you should pay attention to what slowly emerges from the water this time of year.
"Especially in April, we will start having sea turtles nest and the adult females will crawl up on the beach,” said Mary Kay Skoruppa who is the Texas Sea Turtle Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
She spoke with KHOU 11 News from her office in Corpus Christi.
"It’s a pretty special moment if you happen to be on the beach when a sea turtle comes ashore to lay her eggs,” said Skoruppa.
Since vehicles are allowed along many Texas beaches, driving slowly and staying alert during spawning season is crucial.
That's especially true when it comes to the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, the official sea turtle of Texas and one of the most endangered species.
"And you may not see the turtle itself, but they leave tracks in the sand that are a clue that there’s a nest there that we want to protect,” said Skoruppa.
256 Kemp’s ridley nests were found in Texas last year, mostly along the lower coast.
The epicenter of their spawning activity is in Mexico, but nests are located in Galveston and in other spots along the upper Texas coast, as well.
Skoruppa said their numbers are gradually recovering thanks, in part, to education.
"But it’s still endangered and in need of our help,” said Skoruppa.
There are people who patrol beaches in search of nests.
The best advice if you spot one is to keep people and vehicles away and call 1-866-TURTLE-5 and wait for a biologist to arrive.