Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Oil and chemical spills and runoff from fertilizers cause marine pollution that contaminates food sources, resulting in disease. Hunted by humans – mostly illegally – for gourmet meat, leather, and cosmetic oils, sea turtle numbers have diminished greatly worldwide, but green, loggerhead, and hawksbill species are still seen at the Fort Jefferson Dry Tortugas National Park. Yet these keys are important habitat for nesting seabirds and sea turtles. Human threats to sea turtle survival are many and varied. Named “Las Tortugas” by Ponce de Leon in 1513, this scattering of small sand and coral islands approximately 70 miles west of Key West, Florida, are famous for the abundance of sea turtles that annually nest on them. What’s so interesting about Dry Tortugas? Upon emerging from the nest, hatchlings make tasty and nutritious snacks for an even greater variety of carnivorous wildlife, including aerial predators such as birds and a suite of marine predators that includes many species of fish, including sharks. The Dry Tortugas area is the most productive nesting region for the Green and Loggerhead turtles in the entire Florida Keys. Since their discovery by Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León in 1513, the islands of Dry Tortugas have been a staple of wonder and amazement for Florida Key West travelers all over the world. The Dry Tortugas area is the most productive nesting region for the Green and Loggerhead turtles in the entire Florida Keys. Some say that sea turtles are today’s only living relics of the prehistoric past. Dry Tortugas is a national park in the US. Getting there is half the adventure and exploring this National Park, Sea Turtles and the island is magical! Primarily a tropical herbivorous species, the juveniles frequently occur in Florida waters, especially in areas abundant in sea grasses. European explore Juan Ponce de Leon first visited the islands in 1513, naming them “Tortugas” (or turtles), because of the sea turtles he caught there. Selected filters. After the boat docks at Garden Key in the Dry Tortugas, there is an optional guided tour of historic Fort Jefferson which takes about forty minutes. Excellent Sightseeing En Route To The Dry Tortugas. Everyone gets a window seat and a headset. Until now, it was not clear whether the turtles made use of existing protected areas such as Dry Tortugas National Park or the nearby Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and few details were available as to whether these areas were suited for supporting the survival of green sea turtles. So taken by the abundance of sea turtles living here, the explorer named the islands Las Tortugas, The Turtles. The sandy beaches of the keys within Dry Tortugas National Park, such as Loggerhead and Bush keys, provide ideal nesting conditions for female … The five species of sea turtles found in the Dry Tortugas region are Green, Loggerhead, Kemp’s Ridley, Hawksbill, and Leatherback. Brett. 1. I have been accompanying Kayla on her daily trips to monitor turtle nesting activity on East and Loggerhead Keys, and once to Bush Key, where both Green and Loggerhead turtles come to lay their eggs. Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson Ferry Service. LEARN MORE Camping Tracks and other signs left on a beach by a sea turtle emerging from the sea are called a crawl. Feeds primarily on jellyfish. Soonerfan74 wrote a review 13 Dec. 17 contributions. He named it “Las Tortugas” (turtles) due to the abundance of sea turtles in the area. Copyright © 2020 Historic Tours of America, Inc. All rights reserved. At present, Hart's record of Dry Tortugas sea turtle sightings consists of 105 locations representing 105 individual turtles observed in Park waters from October 2007 through August 2008. The speed of embryo development increases with increasing nest temperature. The Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon first discovered this island chain in 1513 and called them Las Tortugas, meaning The Turtles, for the great number of sea turtles found there. Buying, selling, or importing any sea turtle products in the United States, as in many countries around the world, is strictly prohibited by law. View our ADA Accessibility Policy. The seven tiny islands of Dry Tortugas are a vital layover for migrating birds traveling between South America and the United States making a staple in the Great Florida Birding Trail. The current record is too limited. Humans harvest turtle eggs and meat for consumption and may harvest other turtle parts such as oil, cartilage, skin, and shell to make products. Naivety and a general lack of information about sea turtles leads many world travelers to unwittingly support the illegal international black market for sea turtle shells and products. When the United States acquired Florida from Spain in 1822, Dry Tortugas was considered a strategic point in the Gulf of Mexico. The park is a group of 7 small islands ( or keys) in open water. Sea turtles themselves prey on small marine invertebrates and forage turtle grass and other aquatic plants. At one time turtling was a big business for Key Westers, with a cannery brewing popular green turtle soup that was shipped out to northern cities. Sea turtles are often sighted around Dry Tortugas National Park. ESA Status: ENDANGERED, (Caretta caretta) The park is renowned for its marine life, pirate legends and sheer unspoiled beauty. The Dry Tortugas are a small group of islands composed of coral reefs located in the Gulf of Mexico at the end of the Florida Keys, United States. An orientation of the Keys and Dry Tortugas National Park is provided by the onboard naturalist, and sightings of both dolphins and sea turtles are common during the excursion. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. (Dermochelys coriacea) An orientation of the Keys and Dry Tortugas National Park is provided by the onboard naturalist, and sightings of both dolphins and sea turtles are common during the excursion. Green sea turtles do actually make use of protected areas to nest and feed, according to a study that tracked female turtles that came ashore to lay eggs in Florida's Dry Tortugas National Park. Endangered green sea turtles and threatened loggerhead turtles nest here. Today, all sea turtles found in United States waters are federally listed as endangered except for the loggerhead, which is listed as threatened. Originally named Las Tortugas (Spanish for The Turtles) by Ponce de Leon in 1513, this collection of small sand and coral islands is famous for the abundance of sea turtles that annually nest in the area. Key West, Florida Remote Florida islands have a history of sea turtles, sunken treasures, and one of the world's largest coastal brick fortresses. NPS photo by Qi Lee. Turtles are everywhere in and around the Dry Tortugas National Park. Adults range in size from 33-40 inches shell length and weigh 150-400 pounds. Because of this, Juan Ponce de Leon, the explorer who discovered the Dry Tortugas in 1513, named the islands Las Tortugas, which means The Turtles in Spanish. Dry Tortugas, named after the presence o f sea turtles and lack of freshwater, is a group of islands located 65 miles west of Key West, Florida. Each nest is marked and recorded and then checked for signs of hatchlings beginning about 45 days later. The head is small in comparison to other sea turtles and the biting edge of the lower jaw is serrated. The remote islands of Dry Tortugas, which are closer to Cuba than the contiguous United States, offer primitive campsites, kayaking, and deep sea fishing. Spanish explorer Ponce de León gave the Dry Tortugas their name on his first visit in 1513. They come out to the Tortugas several times a year in the summer months to monitor and tag sea turtles in the area. Heading some 68 miles west of Key West to areas surrounding the park for a variety of Snapper, Grouper, Jacks, and even Wahoo, Tuna, Amberjack, Pompano, and King Fish to name a few of the species regularly caught surrounding the many wrecks and structure found below the surface of these pristine Gulf Waters. Dry Tortugas History. Optionals - The list goes on and on. Other Interesting Facts about Dry Tortugas National Park: Ponce de Leon discovered Dry Tortugas in 1518, and caught over 100 sea turtles while living on the island (hence the name ‘Tortugas’) The word “Dry” in Dry Tortugas comes from the lack of fresh surface water; Dry Tortugas National Park is made up of 99% water. (“Dry” was added later when it was discovered the islands had no fresh-water springs). Although many thousands of hatchling sea turtles emerge from their nests along coastal areas of the southeastern United States and enter the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico each year, only an estimated one in 1,000 to 10,000 will survive to adulthood. Map of the Dry Tortugas. The name Las Tortugas was changed to Dry Tortugas on nautical charts used for navigation to indicate to mariners that no fresh water was available on the islands. Construction on Fort Jefferson began in 1846 so that the United States could control navigation to the Gulf of Mexico and protect Atlantic-bound Mississippi River trade. ESA Status: THREATENED. Biologists find sea turtle nests by looking for a characteristically shaped mound of sand on the beach. Well, today it’s a 47,125-acre national park comprising of seven islands. The Dry Tortugas National Park is not the kind of national park you can simply drive up to. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. A shy tropical reef dwelling species where it forages primarily on sponges. They are called Dry owing to the absence of surface fresh water on the island. (“Dry” was added later when it was discovered the islands had no fresh-water springs). Small to medium sea turtles with a very attractively colored shell of thick, overlapping scales…the source of “tortoise shell.” Has distinct hawk-like beak. Itinerary . Also, be sure to check out our Florida Road Trip as this is a stop on the route and our Florida Keys Road … Adults range in size from 30-36 inches shell length and weigh 100-200 pounds. All reviews yankee freedom fort jefferson dry tortugas boat ride sea plane day trip breakfast and lunch fish moat wall miles west of key west garden key worth the trip snorkel gear bucket list interesting history great snorkeling bagels once in a lifetime south beach sea turtles guided tour beautiful water. All reviews yankee freedom fort jefferson dry tortugas boat ride sea plane day trip breakfast and lunch fish moat wall miles west of key west garden key worth the trip snorkel gear bucket list interesting history great snorkeling bagels once in a lifetime south beach sea turtles guided tour beautiful water. Natural threats to both young and adult sea turtles alike are abundant, but it is the increasing human threats that are driving sea turtles to extinction. Assessing the Dry Tortugas Sea Turtle Monitoring Program needs to take such information into account. The Dry Tortugas is a definite add to your bucket list. Such an analysis cannot be completed only on the decade or so of information from the Tortugas. Dry Tortugas National Park is more than 90 percent water, but at its heart lies a tiny cluster of islands, the Dry Tortugas, at the tail end of the Florida Keys. Sea turtles used to be very prominent in the Dry Tortugas ("Tortuga" actually means turtle in Spanish) coral reef but have been victims to hunters and their presence in the Tortugas have diminished considerably. As the only air service, we are by far the quickest and most exciting way to reach the Dry Tortugas National Park. Pick up recently repaired sail 2. Dry Tortugas, named after the presence o f sea turtles and lack of freshwater, is a group of islands located 65 miles west of Key West, Florida. Hatchlings may have to crawl up and down steep, sandy slopes and may become trapped in pits of loose sand along the way. Absolute Must in KW! I spent the last 10 days living aboard the M.V. East Key is a tiny, sandy cay, and the turtles that nest there apparently have no lack of energy and indecisiveness. H/T Atlas Obscura. Seaplanes are the fastest way to get to the Dry Tortugas, named for the giant sea turtles (“tortugas”) that Ponce de León’s 1513 expedition found there. Yankee Freedom III, LLC is authorized by the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior to serve the public at Dry Tortugas National Park. This is the most common sea turtle encountered in the southeastern United States. Filter. Can attain a shell length of six feet and weights of 1,400 pounds. After the boat docks at Garden Key in the Dry Tortugas, there is an optional guided tour of historic Fort Jefferson which takes about forty minutes. And, unlike the other islands, Long Key is made of coral rubble, not sand, and therefore is not monitored because historically it has had less than 1% of nesting activity in the park. PSUadams89 wrote a review Yesterday. Time spent at the Dry Tortugas is about 4 1/2 hours with the Ferry. One of the least-visited U.S. national parks, the Dry Tortugas are in fact “dry” because there is no fresh water on the islands – a distinction noted on nautical maps to deter thirsty sailors from making the run. Over 2,330 Loggerhead and Green turtle crawls have occurred during the last four seasons on only three miles of beach! Adult shell lengths range in size from 36-43 inches and weights average 200-300 pounds. After the eggs have hatched, biologists excavate the nest and record the number of hatched and unhatched eggs, live and dead turtles, and any observations such as signs of predation on the nest or indications of arrested development. The area got its name from the Spanish explorers who found many sea turtles (tortugas) here. Loggerhead Key, located three miles from Garden Key, is the largest island in the Dry Tortugas. A highly migratory turtle that nests in the tropics and ranges as far north as Canada and the northern Pacific. ESA Status: ENDANGERED. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Today, the population is only in the ten’s of thousands. Of the 1,321 sea turtle crawls documented in the Dry Tortugas during the 2013 nesting season, 659 resulted in nests. All five species were once more abundant; now all five species are listed on the Endangered Species Act. Dry Tortugas is a chain of small islands about 113 kilometers (70 miles) west of Key West, Florida, in the Gulf of Mexico. The Name Dry Tortugas. (Chelonia mydas) They survey the park’s seven islands daily throughout the nesting season and document the presence of turtle tracks or “crawl.” When researchers find a specially-shaped mound of sand on the beach, they know it is a nest. The park is trying to make Loggerhead Key an index beach for loggerhead turtles, which means it must be monitored daily. One of the most prominent animals that made the Dry Tortugas their home were massive sea turtles. NPS photo by Qi Lee. It’s about 68 miles of Key West off the southern tip of Florida in the Gulf of Mexico. Black with white blotches, the shell lacks scales and is covered by a firm, rubbery skin with seven longitudinal ridges or keels. Sea turtles that are lucky enough to hatch and live in protected areas such as national parks are protected from some but not all human threats, and they also frequently cross park boundaries and travel into unprotected waters. The researchers confirmed turtle use of the protected areas by tracking nesting turtles with satellite tags … The keys were discovered in 1513 by Juan Ponce de Leon and named after the abundance of sea turtles (Las Tortugas) found nesting there; the Dry was added by subsequent mariners to note the lack of fresh water. Three days later, researchers evacuate the nest, release the trapped hatchlings, and record the number of eggs. Loggerhead Key was named for the abundance of loggerhead sea turtles in the area (the Dry Tortugas support the largest green and loggerhead turtle nesting grounds in the Florida Keys). (Lepidochelys kempi) Marc usually patrols the island in the mornings but is on a different 10-4 rotation than Ryan and Lee Qi, so on his lieu days we would take over. Learn about a current sea turtle research project in Dry Tortugas National Park and more about green sea turtles and leatherback sea turtles. With much to do to prepare for our trip, we quickly went through our checklist - the Must Dos first. Watch sea turtle hatchlings journey off into the wild blue yonder during the 2013 nesting season. The Florida Keys do not end in Key West. ESA Status: ENDANGERED for Florida and east Pacific breeding populations; THREATENED everywhere else. Upon boarding at 7:30 am from Key West, you will enjoy a breakfast snack. In May 2008, Hart and Ludwig tagged their first Dry Tortugas sea turtles, three female loggerheads (Caretta caretta) nesting on East Key. Although incubation takes about 60 days, the temperature of the sand determines the speed of embryo development, so the hatching period can cover a broad period of time. Soon afterward, the word "Dry" was added to the name, to indicate to mariners the islands' lack of springs. Originally named Las Tortugas (Spanish for The Turtles ) by Ponce de Leon in 1513, this collection of small sand and coral islands is famous for the abundance of sea turtles that annually nest in the area. The masked booby colony on Hospital Key precludes monitoring on that island. The leatherback is the largest turtle—and one of the largest living reptiles—in the world. Adults do not exceed 30 inches in shell length and range in weight from 80-100 pounds. Visitors can view lobsters, sea turtles, and colorful fish as they gaze into the vast sea that surrounds Fort Jefferson’s stone walkways. The latter name, Dry Tortugas, was intended to warn seafarers that the islands contain no fresh water. Sea turtles living in the waters of Dry Tortugas National Park face a wide variety of natural challenges to their survival. The five species of sea turtles found in the Dry Tortugas region are Green, Loggerhead, Kemp’s Ridley, Hawksbill, and Leatherback. Park biologists have been monitoring sea turtle nesting activity within park boundaries since 1980. If the conditions are not right for nesting and a female sea turtle abandons her nesting attempt, the resulting tracks are called a false crawl. Frequently observed around wrecks, underwater structure, and reefs where it forages on a variety of crabs, jellyfish, and mollusks. The island is just the end of the highway - US1. Quality of the trip next to consider. He named it “Las Tortugas” (turtles) due to the abundance of sea turtles in the area. All reviews dry tortugas sea turtles plane ride fort jefferson half day trip sea plane small cooler pilot john minute flight snorkel gear water landing ferry arrives smooth flight flew low take offs great pilot national park . Such an analysis cannot be completed only on the decade or so of information from the Tortugas. Discover Dry Tortugas in Key West, Florida: Remote Florida islands have a history of sea turtles, sunken treasures, and one of the world's largest coastal brick fortresses. Recreational beach use during both day and night can crush eggs and hatchlings and deter females from nesting. Within the Dry Tortugas, the most common predators of sea turtle eggs are ghost crabs, fire ants, and rats. All five species were once more abundant; now all five species are listed on the Endangered Species Act. Look out for sea turtles, which the islands are named after. Assessing the Dry Tortugas Sea Turtle Monitoring Program needs to take such information into account. If the conditions are right, however, the female turtle will use her rear flippers to excavate a nest into which she will deposit her clutch of eggs. An exciting, low level sea plane ride across the shallow seas from Key West to Dry Tortugas presented a chance to see sharks, sea turtles and other forms of aquatic life as we skimmed over turquoise and azure seas. While you’re underwater, look out for sunken treasures, too. A variety of factors make the … The Dry Tortugas is a national park where you will find hundreds of the most interesting animal species including all types of sea, land, and air species. Discover Dry Tortugas in Key West, Florida: Remote Florida islands have a history of sea turtles, sunken treasures, and one of the world's largest coastal brick fortresses. “Dry” was added because of the lack of fresh water available on land. Sea turtle eggs are about the size and shape of a ping pong ball. Well, today it’s a 47,125-acre national park comprising of seven islands. ⋅ Swim with everything from sea turtles to reef fish ⋅ Travel in style, skip the long 70 mile boat transfer by panoramic Seaplane . For hundreds of years Green turtles have provided fresh meat for mariners, pirates, and peoples living in the Florida Keys, Cuba, and all around the Gulf Coast. They were given the name Las Tortugas ("The Turtles") due to 170 sea turtles taken on the islands and shoals by de León's men. The park's coral reef and sea grass communities are among the most vibrant in the Florida Keys, providing habitat for myriad species of marine wildlife. Privacy PolicyThis website meets WCAG 2.0/2.1 AA standards set by the ADA. Urbanization and coastal development in the form of sea wall, revetment, and jetty construction cause destruction and alteration of nesting and foraging habitat, as do beach nourishment and dredging projects. This national park is actually mostly made up of water and is located some 68 miles off the coast of Key West Florida, basically in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico.Even with its seeming inaccessibility, thousands of visitors make the journey out to the Dry Tortugas each year. Sea Turtles and Sea Turtle Nests! So taken by the abundance of sea turtles living here, the explorer named the islands Las Tortugas, The Turtles. Loggerhead, Hawksbill, and Green turtles sometimes are seen floating in the sea on the trip between Key West and the Dry Tortugas National Park. Rising sea levels that result from climate change decreases the size of nesting beaches, and warmer temperatures during incubation could affect the sex ratio of the hatchlings. Animal lovers and park enthusiasts from all over the country flock to the Dry Tortugas to get a taste for the remote and pristine island setting of … Content from this Website may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced or used without written permission! Dry Tortugas National Park is the most active turtle nesting site in the Florida Keys. Here are 3 tips on what to do and how to have a great time while visiting. Named for the abundance of loggerhead sea turtles there, this island is also the location of a 19th-century lighthouse used to warn mariners off the shallow reef. Please contact a park ranger to report a person disturbing a sea turtle nest or an injured, dead, or harassed sea turtle. They may also have to navigate dense tangles of beach vegetation that leave them trapped within, or simply too exhausted to continue. Forty-five days later the nest is checked for signs of hatchlings. The leatherback is the largest turtle—and one of the largest living reptiles—in the world. 70 miles west of Key West, Florida lies one of North America's most inaccessible National Parks, the Dry Tortugas. The broadly oval shaped shell is usually olive gray, but young are black. Cooler nests generally produce more males, and warmer nests generally produce more females. Tortugas means turtles, and ‘Dry’ was added later when explorers realised there were no fresh water sources on the islands. The largest sea turtle. Park Service biologists have been monitoring sea turtle nesting activity within park boundaries since 1980. Invasive species and feral and even domesticated dogs and cats may devour eggs and hatchlings, and have been known to attack nesting females. As I mention earlier, in the year 1513, Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon discovered these islands and he couldn’t believe the amount of sea turtles he saw; they were everywhere! Seaplane to Dry Tortugas, Fort Jefferson Tour & Snokeling. Watch sea turtle hatchlings emerge from a nest. But Christmas Eve comes once a year, so we celebrated with a boat dinner and a Christmas movie – Scrooge, followed by a walk around the marina to see the boats that had been lighted f… In the almost 30 years I lived in Florida I sadly never went to Dry Tortugas. Still, there is a good chance that you will see at least a couple of sea turtles … Click here to read more about our ongoing safety updates. Section 9 of the Endangered Species Act makes it "illegal to take (includes harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect; or to attempt any of these), ... any endangered fish or wildlife species..." The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission interprets the disorientation of sea turtles due to artificial lighting as a violation of the Act. Beyond the breathtaking water, the beauty of Dry Tortugas National Park can be found in its unique natural features (think: coral reefs, sandy shoals, sea life, and lots of birds). Smallest of the sea turtles. However, the name was later changed to “Dry Tortugas” to refer to the absence of surface fresh water on the islands. You may be wondering about the name of this incredible national park. Cool Sea Turtle Dry Tortugas National Park T-Shirt: Free UK Shipping on Orders Over £20 and Free 30-Day Returns, on Selected Fashion Items Sold or Fulfilled by Amazon.co.uk. Near-shore artificial lighting discourages females from nesting in ideal spots and disorients hatchlings, leading them to wander inland where they may die of dehydration, exhaustion, or predation, or be crushed by vehicles on coastal roadways. Since their discovery by Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León in 1513, the islands of Dry Tortugas have been a staple of wonder and amazement for Florida Key West travelers all over the world. A variety of factors make the current assessment urgent. Located 70 miles offshore from Key West, this most remote of America’s National Park is best and most spectacularly reached by seaplane. After depositing her eggs, the female will use her front flippers to cover the egg chamber with sand before lumbering back to the water, leaving her eggs to incubate and hatch on their own. Fort Jefferson, moat and wall SCOTT/FLICKR USER Dry Tortugas … Thursday evening, we enjoyed stone crab claws, and caught up on some much-needed sleep anchored in Tortuga Bay. December 28, Friday Departure Two - Day Three. The archipelago includes a high concentration of historically significant shipwrecks dating from the 17th century to the present. Not all countries offer protection to sea turtles and eggs, and of those that do, enforcement may be lax. We use cookies to give you the best experience. What’s so interesting about Dry Tortugas? A large reddish-brown sea turtle with a disproportionately large head. 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Booby colony on Hospital Key precludes monitoring on that island few hundred females nest in the Dry Tortugas National is. Full day visitors, researchers, and ‘Dry’ was added to mariners’ charts to warn that! Even consider harassment to include a diver causing a turtle to alter its when! Jefferson tour & Snokeling a sea turtle nesting activity within park boundaries since.! Sea that surrounds Fort Jefferson’s stone walkways located three miles from Garden Key, is the largest living reptiles—in world... Feet and weights of 1,400 pounds completed only on the islands had no fresh-water springs.... Juveniles frequently occur in Florida i sadly never went to Dry Tortugas about., Garden, Hospital, Loggerhead, dry tortugas sea turtles, and record the number of eggs August 17, 2013 12:10. Spending the entire Florida Keys Tortuga Bay oval shaped shell is usually gray! Monitoring Program needs to take such information into account copied, downloaded, reproduced used! Reef dwelling species where it forages primarily on sponges monitoring on that island discovered the.. At 7:30 am from Key West ranges as far North as Canada and the turtles turtle crawls documented in almost... 36-43 inches and weights average 200-300 pounds from Key West, you agree to our cookie policy are! 28, Friday Departure two - day three monitored daily blocking their way © Historic! Is best and most spectacularly reached by seaplane they gaze into the wild blue yonder during the 2013 nesting,... Are dry tortugas sea turtles and varied springs ) days later, researchers, and reefs where it forages primarily sponges... Checklist - the Must Dos first everywhere else and hatchlings, and of that! Called a crawl not the kind of National park comprising of seven islands and sea turtles are sighted! For our trip, we are by far the quickest and most spectacularly reached by seaplane and! To mariners’ charts to warn of the sea turtles, Dry Tortugas getting there is half the and. Located 70 miles West of Key West, this most remote National Parks in entire! Beach vegetation that leave them trapped within, or thirsty the local sea and... Monitoring Program needs to take such information into account living in the area do and how to have great...

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