03x06 - Arribada 1: Sea Turtle Invasion

[bunniefuu]

Hey martin! You got the list?

We got black crown
night herons,

Wood storks,
raccoons,

Ghost crabs, coatis,
frigate birds,
and black vultures.

Everyone is present

For one of the most
amazing events.

It's called the arribada,
and it means "the arrival."

[Martin]
tens of thousands
of mother sea turtles

Are going to storm
this beach in costa rica
to lay their eggs.

Everyone's ready
and waiting for...

The sea turtle
invasion!

They're taking
the beach by storm

On this episode of
kratts' creatures.

Iarriba!
Iandale, andale!

[Chris]
o.k., Before we start
this adventure,

A quick creature quiz.

[Martin]
sounds cool.

If it's october
near a certain beach
in costa rica,

What do black vultures,
coatis, coyotes, and fungus
have in common?

They're all waiting
for...

The arribada--

One of the most
amazing events
in the creature world,

When thousands
and thousands
of mother sea turtles

Come to a special beach
to lay their eggs...

Creating
a whole new generation
of sea turtles.

Hey, but what
makes a sea turtle
a sea turtle?

Sea turtles are reptiles
who spend their long
lives in the ocean

Eating seagrass
and jellyfish.

There are
different species,

But all sea turtles
lay their eggs
on land.

But only
the olive ridley
sea turtle

And her cousin,
the kemp's ridley,

Stage arribadas.

But not all turtles
are seabound.

Don't forget
land turtles.

The first thing
to know

Is that all turtles
spend time on land.

Even freshwater turtles
come on land
to catch some rays.

Then there's
land tortoises--39 species.

Scientists think
some species live longer

Than any other creature
on earth--

Over 150 years.

Amazing!

So what's the difference
between land tortoises
and sea turtles?

Let's break it down.

Sea turtles have
flippers for swimming.

Land tortoises have
stumpy legs for walking.

So sea turtles
have to drag themselves
on land.

For protection,
most land tortoises

Can pull themselves
inside their shells,

While sea turtles can't.

To sum up,
sea and land turtles
are incredibly different.

I had no idea sea turtles were
so different from land turtles.

They might look the same,
but when you check them out,

They're nothing alike.

Absotively!
If you're going aquatic,

You got to be
prepared.

You need a shell
that cuts through
the current.

Throw in some nostrils
for breathing,

And you're ready
to hit the water,

Which is exactly what
the mother wants
to do a.s.a.p.

See you, al!

[Al]
when is the arribada
going to start?

[Al]
when is the arribada
going to start?

I'm really in suspense.

[Chris]
everybody's anxious for
the arribada to happen,

But all we can do
is be patient and wait.

[Al]
but I thought you guys said

We could chart when arribada
was about to happen

By looking at the progress
of the moon.

So, if nesting time is
between august and december

And it's going
to happen before or after

The first or last quarter
of the moon,

That means that...

Seems simple enough.

All we need is
a strong onshore wind--

Hey! Don't forget
the rising tide.

Hey! Don't forget
the rising tide.

And the rising tide.

Figuring for
the best conditions

And the way turtles
have done it in the past,

We should
be able to predict

When it's
going to happen, right?

Well, maybe,
and then again, al,
maybe not.

What? I just
figured it out,

And the creature computer
backs up my calculations.

Who knows
what nature will do?

We're talking about
thousands of turtles

From south, central,
and north america

All swimming
to one beach
in costa rica

At the same time,

And do you know
how they coordinate
that?

That's easy. It's...

[Beep]

I don't know.

'Course not,

Because
only the turtle
really knows.

Maybe
it's chemistry.

Maybe it's the moon.
Who knows?

I don't even know,
and I've been around

For 200 million
years of arribadas.

Yeah, but have you ever
actually calculated it?

Right now, the guys are
up to their knees

In sea turtles

At this very...

Minute?
Hey, what's going on?

We're still waiting
for the arribada.

We've seen a few
turtle tracks,

But nothing else.

All we can do
in this situation

Is wait and surf.

O.k., Something's
obviously wrong.

Let me see.

Peak nesting time is somewhere
between august and december,

A few days before or after
the last quarter moon.

There's nothing wrong
with my math.

Don't you hate it when things
don't go according to plan?

It's supposed
to be happening now.

Where are those turtles?

[Ttark]
it's not time yet.

Sea turtles
know what's best
for their babies.

That's what
it's all about--
determined mothers.

Do you realize
what they go through
to get to the beach?

This sea turtle mom
came from far out

In the pacific
ocean--



No swim around
the pond--

And she had to deal
with predators
like sharks.

Yikes! That makes
for pretty scary
swimming.

She's close
to the beach,

But as
the saying goes,

"So near
and yet so far."

She's exhausted,

And it takes work
to drag her shell
up the beach.

She'll take
a break and rest
her flippers.

Now that she's hit
the beach,

Meet the arribada
welcoming committee,

Like the crocodile.

This
toothy reptilian
would love

To give her
the chomp.

And there's
another member

Of the welcoming
committee--
the jaguar.

This cat would love
to know the turtles
better.

And they're not
the only predators.

There's
other predators

We haven't
even seen yet.

So it's not exactly
a walk in the bog

With a tongueless
clawed frog.

I thought they just
swam up to the beach.

Turtle moms aresome
of the most dedicated
in the world.

What's happening
on the beach?

We're still here.

Nothing's
happened yet,

But I have
a strange feeling.

You know what that
strange feeling is?
Hermit crabs!

Hermit crabs?
What's a hermit crab?

I haven't seen hermie
in an elephant's age!

He always was
a bit of a hermit,

Never one to come out
of his shell.

[Chris]
these crabs
aren't like hermits.

Hermits live alone.
These guys
hang out together.

[Martin]
and they don't
seem to be shy.

You can say that
again.

Hermit crabs are great.

They're different
than any crab.

They live in old
snail shells.

Hermit crabs
need a hard shell
to protect them

From predators
like birds.

But they don't
grow shells,
they find them--

Usually
an empty shell.

But sometimes they'll
k*ll a snail, eat him,
then take his shell.

When a bird
wants to eat him,

He draws
into his shell

And guards
the opening
with his claws.

When hermit crabs
outgrow shells,
they need a new one fast.

Without a shell,
the hermit is
seriously vulnerable.

In a pinch,

They've been known
to use plastic cups.

If the shell fits...

Being protected
from predators
means hermit crabs

Are able
to move around,

Eating dead fish
and fruit.

If there's good grub
on the beach,

Chances are, you'll find
a bunch of hermits
dining on it.

A hermit crab
free-for-all!

When it comes
to feeding,

There's only one
hermit crab rule--

The bigger crab
goes first.

Wait a minute.
Look at that--

A hermit crab
biting a lizard.

That's not
just any lizard.
That's a ctenosaur.

It looks like
a female ctenosaur.

These
iguana-type lizards
eat crabs,

So why is
that hermit crab
hanging around?

I guess the hermit's
confident his shell
will protect him.

There's
a male ctenosaur,

And there's
a hermit crab
near him, too.

I wonder
what he'll do.

That guy's
not too hungry.

But she is.

She's eating her crab
shell and all.

Wow, martin,
that hermit crab
made a big mistake.

Martin?

Head bobbing!
That's a warning sign.

He's warning
another ctenosaur
not to inv*de his turf.

The other lizard
usually backs down,

But if he doesn't,
he'd better be ready
to rumble.

Whoa!
A ctenosaur fight!

They're grabbing
each other by their jaws

And wrestling!

If one's smaller,
he almost has no chance.

Size is a big advantage
in a ctenosaur contest.

Ctenosaurs
are territorial,

So every now and then,

Males get into scraps
over turf,

But usually no one
gets hurt.

You know
the contest is over

When the other lizard
flips and takes off.

Martin,
where were you?

I had tickets
to a ctenosaur fight!

There's more
off the beach
to check out.

Good call. There's
creatures all over.

There are
a lot of animals
around here,

But let's check out

The costa rican
creature
treasure trove--

The tropical forest!

Definitely! All sorts
of wild creatures
live here,

From insects to birds,
lizards, sloths,
tapirs, and cats.

That's because of
high biodiversity.

Talk about
biodiversity,
listen to this--

One tree here
may house
more species of ants

Than can be found
in the entire
british isles.

These forests are
more than a clump
of trees.

The costa rican
tropical forests

Make up about


Do you think
we can cover it?

Oh, yeah.

[Monkeys howling]

These trees
may look huge--
and they are.

Some grow


One creature who's
made the most of them
has got to be monkeys.

Monkeys and trees are
a natural costa rican
rain forest combo.

Of all the monkeys
cruising the treetops,

Howler monkeys
have to be noisiest.

These guys
use loud howls
to communicate--

Mainly
to claim turf.

Talk about biodiversity,
the tropical forest

Is a cornucopia
of climbing monkeys...

Like the acrobatic
spider monkey,

Who's great at
flinging himself
from tree to tree...

[Chris]
the squirrel monkey,

Who's an incredibly agile
picker of fruit...

And the white-faced
capuchin,

Who uses all levels
of the forest
to forage.

Speaking of which...

There is one thing
I should mention.

We're getting really far
from the beach.

I know, but we can't
pass up tropical
creatures

Like the ocelot!

The locals
call this quick
and crafty hunter

El tigrillo--
spanish for
"little tiger."

And there's more hunters
prowling around
the forest floor.

Take a look
at the coatis.

This hunter
and scavenger
uses his long nose

To locate food.

When the arribada
starts,

He'll follow his nose
down to the beach
to dig up turtle eggs.

Few animals prey
on adult coatis,

But creatures like
raptors, tayras,

Boas, and some wildcats
can prey on their young,

And one of them is
margays.

This housecat-sized
hunter

Is the most agile
climber and jumper

Of all the tropical
forest cats.

He even hunts monkeys
in trees.

[Al]
guys, this is great, but you're
getting far from the beach.

[Chris]
but we have tropical
forest to explore.

[Al]
while you're exploring,
check out the creatures

Of the tropical dry forest,
like raccoons,

Fruit bats, and tamanduas.

[Martin]
there are
those creatures,

Then there are
white-tailed deer,

Who also live
in the tropical
dry forest.

In fact, they live
all over central america

And in parts of north
and south america.

We even have
bigger versions
in jersey.

You find
these timid grass-eaters

All over the tropical
dry forest,

But if they hear you,
they'll take off.

White-tailed deer?
Where are you guys?

[Martin]
no sweat, al. Chris is
a navigating whiz.

I see some mountains
over there.

I think there's
a village down that way.

Tracking kratts.

Wow! You've wandered
a serious distance
from the beach.

I mean,
you're miles away.

Too many miles.
That's not good.

If the arribada
happens,

You're over there
and not here.

Accessing beach.

Come on.

Focusing...

Oh, wow!

Guys, I see one.

It's really there--

One of the most
gimongous turtles
on earth.

I think
it's happening--

The arribada.

You got to
get back now!

[Howling]

We've been going
around in circles.

This is crazy.
Let's try that way.

We'll never get around
those bromeliads.
Let's go this way.

No. You're going
the wrong way.
Hang on. Hang on.

Where are we?

I've got
your location,

And you don't
have to go back
through the forest.

There's a roadway
near the river.

If you find
the roadway,

You'll get back
in time.

[Horse whinnies]

[Al]
this is it, guys.
The arribada's on.

A few turtles have laid eggs,
but more are pouring in.



I count 100 turtles.

That can't be right,
can it?

There's supposed to be
a lot more than that.

There's
supposed to be...

There's supposed to be


On a beach
less than 1 mile long?

We're already
over 200 turtles now.

They just keep coming.

Within an hour,
there could be


Is that possible?

[Martin]
more than possible,
it's inevitable.

We need some way
to get there.

[Speaking spanish]

Gracias.

Vamos.

[Al]
man, this is incredible!

Guys, you're going to
miss the whole arribada.

Tracking kratt brothers.
Tracking kratts.

Where are the kratts?

[Chris]
we're going to check out
the arribada

By any means necessary.

[Horse whinnies]

Amazing!
And you know
what will happen--

By the time
they get back,

The whole thing
will be over.

[Martin]
mission
accomplished!

We made it!

The arribada,
it's happening!

Wow! The arribada
on nancite beach

Is definitely one
of the greatest creature
events of all time.


Lay their eggs! Amazing!

What's more amazing
is that nancite beach

Is one of the few
beaches in the world
where arribadas happen.

Scientists aren't sure
why these turtle moms
picked this beach,

But some believe
they came here

Because this beach
is where they themselves
were born.

This one must have
laid its eggs.

Time to head
for the ocean

Because the arribada's
over for her,

But thousands more
are coming in.

This beach is
one big revolving door
of sea turtles.

[Chris]
we had an incredible
journey to get here,

But imagine how incredible
the turtle mom's
journey was

Coming thousands of miles
to join the arribada.

And what do they do
when they get here?

First the turtle surfs in
and crawls onto land,

Then she drags
her tired body up the beach,

And it isn't easy.

Sea turtles
aren't really built

For moving on land.

They have flippers,
not feet,

And moving up
the beach is
really exhausting.

Normally, you should
never approach
a turtle mom

Because you may
throw her off

And prevent her
from nesting...

But during
an arribada,

The moms are in
such a nesting frenzy,

They don't mind
that we are near them.

What the turtle moms
do now

Is find
nice dry spots
above the tide line

So their nests
don't get soaked

When the tide
comes in.

Then they dig a perfect
bay-shaped hole

With the scooping motion
of their hind flippers.

[Martin]
time to lay the eggs,

And I'm not talking
about just a few.

Each female sea turtle
lays about 100 eggs.

This may look
like a long process,

But it only takes
each mother
about an hour.

Pretty amazing
when you consider

They spent days
swimming here.

When the eggs are
safely in the ground,

The sea turtle
fills up the hole
and packs down the sand.

Then the sea turtle
throws sand

To hide the nest
from predators.

These nests
are easy marks
for predators.

They make
every effort
to keep them hidden.

When nesting
is complete,

The females
find their way
back to the ocean.

By this time,
they are exhausted,

But they head back
to the ocean
as fast as they can.

Keep in mind that
at this time of day,
the beach is hot.

It makes dragging
their bellies
across the sand

Tough, even painful,
for the turtles.

That's why
peak nesting time
is after dark,

When the sun is down
and the sand is cool.

It must be a relief
to feel the cool water
over their bodies.

These turtles are
at home in the sea,

And that's where
they'll stay...

Until they come back
for another arribada.

You know, chris,
this has been
an awesome experience.

Definitely.
We're so lucky

To have seen
one of the greatest
creature events ever.

That's it, martin.
The sea turtles
have gone.

But there's another part
to the arribada.

Remember those predators
we saw?

Oh, yeah!

[Martin]
they're coming for
the arribada, too.

[Chris]
right, and they haven't
come to be spectators.

Hold it. That's it?

The mothers just leave
the babies there?

Guys, how can their moms
leave them behind?

[Martin]
it's part of an amazing
creature strategy

That's been working
for eons.

[Al]
I got to know--

What is going
to happen to them?

[Chris]
the baby turtles
are going to hatch...

[Martin]
and then
the most important

And deadly adventure
of their lives.