People on a beach in southern California saw a tropical sea turtle lay eggs in the sand. A few days later, a second sea turtle also laid eggs on another beach nearby. Scientists say this is the first time sea turtles have nested on the west coast of the United States.
These turtles are olive ridley sea turtles. They usually lay their eggs much further south in warm places like Mexico and Central America. Nesting means crawling onto the beach to build a nest and lay eggs.
Scientists do not know exactly why the turtles came to California. The ocean water is getting warmer, which can bring tropical animals to new areas. A recent storm or ocean current might also have pushed the turtles off course. Scientists will watch to see if more turtles arrive.
Local workers built fences around the turtle nests to keep the eggs safe from wild animals and high ocean waves. Wildlife experts tell people to stay at least 50 feet away from any sea turtle on the beach so the animals stay safe.