Moisture and temperature in hatching of olive turtle Lepidochelys olivacea (Eschssholtz 1829)

The variation in moisture,and temperature was analized in the hatching of olive ridley turtle Lepidochelys olivacea eggs, during the 1992-1993 season in "El Verde" beach (Sinaloa, Mexico). This variation was compared for different incubation environments (natural nests, corrals and polystyrene boxes). The results show that the average temperature was 33.6 degrees C in natural nests, 32.8 degrees C in corral and 32.1 degrees C in boxes. Moisture percentage fell between 59.6% to 23.4% as calculated by the weight method and for saturation of 22.9 mL g(-1) to 8.8 mL g(-1). Hatching percentage was 67.9% in natural nests, 64.1% in corral and 46.9% in boxes. A granulometric study of sand showed differences in sand grain for nests areas. For this season the incubation average temperature was 32.7 degrees C; for this reason, the hatchlings were females. The moisture levels registered in each incubation environment in this experiment apparently were not a determinant factor for the hatching success.