Dolphin Tales: Turtle nesting season
Ninety percent of all sea turtle nesting in the U.S. occurs along Florida’s 1,200 miles of coastal beaches. Anywhere from 40,000 to 80,000 nests are dug each year from March to October. The species of sea turtles that are most common are the Kemp’s Ridley, hawksbill, loggerhead, green and leatherback
The endangered Kemp’s Ridley turtles are the smallest, weighing 75-100 pounds. The hawksbill is also endangered and weighs 100-200 pounds. The threatened loggerhead weighs up to 250 pounds. The larger green weighs up to 400 pounds and the leatherback can weigh up to 2,000 pounds. Both the green and the leatherback are endangered.
Keep your eyes open as you scan the water. You might see one of these awesome creatures. If it looks like a log, it’s a loggerhead!
Both male and female turtles will migrate to nesting areas to breed, generally in the area where they were born. Ocean currents, the earth’s magnetic field and water chemistry influence the turtle’s ability to find their birthplace. Female sea turtles will lay eggs up to eight times during the season. Each nest averages about 110 eggs. Most nests will hatch between 45-65 days after they are laid.
Once the female lays her eggs, she will return to the sea. The hatchlings use their instincts to guide them once they emerge from the eggs under the moonlight. Remember to turn all of your outdoor lights out and pull down your window shades if you are residing on the beach. The hatchlings will become confused by the artificial light and may not make it to the moonlit ocean.
Cayo Costa averages over 300 sea turtle nests each year. Every morning, volunteers patrol the beach looking for tracks that the sea turtle left behind when she emerged from the sea between dusk and dawn. Screens are placed over the eggs to protect them from predators. The screens still allow the hatchlings to exit from the nest. The volunteers will place stakes and yellow caution tape around the nest. Unfortunately, only 1 in 1,000 sea turtle hatchlings will survive to see their first birthday.
Capt. Cathy Eagle has spent over 40 years boating in our local waters. As a professional charter captain she specializes in dolphin and nature tours. Visit CaptainCathy.com or call 239 994-2572.