Lacrosse Island facts for kids
Lacrosse Island is a special place located in Western Australia. It's an island found in the Cambridge Gulf, which is part of the larger Kimberley region. This island sits between two capes: Cape Domett on the east and Cape Dussejour on the west. It's also part of the Shire of Wyndham–East Kimberley, which is its local government area.
The island is positioned where the Cambridge Gulf meets another large body of water called the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf. Just north of Lacrosse Island, you'll find an area known as the Medusa Banks. The southeastern tip of the island is called 'White Stone Point', and its northwestern end is known as 'West Bluff'.
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A Glimpse into History
Lacrosse Island has played a small but interesting role in history. Back in the 1880s, during the exciting Kimberley gold rush, the island was used as a stop-over point. A group of gold prospectors, known as the "Bendigo Party," used the island to prepare before heading off to search for gold in the Kimberley goldfield.
Later, in the 1920s, people visiting the island would look for turtle eggs. This shows that the island has long been known for its wildlife, especially its sea turtles.
Amazing Animals: Flatback Sea Turtles
A Special Nesting Spot
Lacrosse Island is a very important home for an amazing creature: the flatback sea turtle. These turtles are unique because they are found mostly in the waters around Australia. The island provides a safe place for them to come ashore and lay their eggs.
Life Cycle of the Flatback Turtle
Flatback sea turtles are named for their flat, smooth shells. Unlike other sea turtles, their shells are not very domed. Female flatback turtles return to the same beaches where they were born to lay their own eggs. They dig nests in the sand, lay their eggs, and then cover them up before returning to the ocean.
After about 45 to 60 days, tiny hatchlings emerge from the nests. They quickly make their way to the sea, beginning their long journey in the ocean. It's a tough start, but these little turtles are strong survivors.
Understanding the Tides
The waters around Lacrosse Island and the Cambridge Gulf have very large tidal ranges. This means the difference between high tide and low tide can be quite big. Because of this, anyone traveling by boat near Lacrosse Island needs to pay close attention to the tide times. Knowing the tides helps boats navigate safely and avoid getting stuck in shallow waters.
