Both the Amazon and the Orinoco, with their tributaries, are frequented
by several species of turtles. The mode employed for capturing the
animals, as well as collecting the eggs, applies equally to both rivers.
There are several species of fresh-water turtles. The largest in the
upper waters grow to a great size, measuring nearly three feet long, by
two in breadth; so that one is a load for the strongest man. The
Brazilian Government make regulations for protecting the turtles whilst
laying, so that all the inhabitants on the banks may have an equal
chance of procuring a supply of eggs. The natives collect from all
quarters for this object. The turtles select the highest and driest
banks composed of the finest sand, which will be a sufficient time above
water to allow of the eggs being hatched by the heat of the sun. Some
of these banks are of great extent--many miles long, and often one or
more broad. They are the haunts and breeding-places of many different
kinds of animals, and are covered by tracks of alligators and turtles.
Not only do these here make their nests, but birds lay in them their
eggs during the dry season; and different kinds of fish use them for the
same purpose when covered with water. Here, too, the wonderful little
acara are found, with their young in their heads; and there are also
rounded shallow depressions in the mud, which the fishermen say are the
sleeping-places of the skates. They are certainly about the size and
form of a skate, and it can easily be believed that these singular
impressions in the soft surface have been made in this way. The
creatures, however, only frequent certain praias out of the number
existing. When the waters overflow the land, the young turtles move
into the interior, where they remain during their infant days in the
numberless lakes and pools in the forest. As the dry season approaches,
the full-grown turtles descend from the interior pools while the outlets
are still open (between July and August), and seek in countless swarms
their favourite banks. Sentinels are then posted on high lookout
places, situated at the ends of the banks, where they may watch the
proceedings of the creatures, and mark the spots they have chosen. They
also warn off any fishermen who may approach, as the sight of a man or a
fire on the sand-bank would prevent the turtles from leaving the water
that night to lay their eggs; and, if frequently alarmed, they would
forsake the praia for some other place.
The turtles lay their eggs by night--crawling in vast crowds to the
central and highest part of the praia--and are occupied till dawn in the
operation. They excavate with their broad-webbed paws deep holes in the
fine sand. The first which arrives makes a pit about three feet deep,
and lays its eggs--about one hundred in number--covering them with sand.
The next makes its deposit at the top of the former; and so on till
every pit is full. They are so careful in covering up the eggs, that,
when they quit the spot, the only marks distinguishable are those which
they make when returning to the water--as they go round and round the
nest several times in succession to obliterate all traces. The sand,
however, remains so loose, that it gives way under foot, and thus the
Indian easily discovers the spot.
A body of turtles occupy several days in the operation; one party
succeeding the other, night after night, till all have deposited their
eggs. As the season advances, however, those who have arrived late, in
their hurry to lay, appear to take fewer precautions. So powerful is
the effect of the sun on these sand-banks, that a few days only are
required to hatch the young turtles.
It has been so arranged by the Creator, that they always come forth at
night, as the heat of the sun would kill them, and they would be
devoured by birds of prey and other animals on the watch to seize the
dainty morsels. Although the hole from which they emerge may be half a
mile or more from the river, instinct teaches them to go in a direct
line to the water. A number, however, are caught by their enemies;
while enormous quantities of eggs are taken,--both to be used as food,
and for the sake of the oil they contain.
A curious sight is witnessed from the top of the sentinel's stage at
daybreak. The sand appears blackened with the multitudes of turtles--
which, after depositing their eggs, are waddling towards the river; and
often, where the margin of the praia is steep, tumbling down the
declivity into the water.