Apr 12 2009
The Early Turtle Starts the Grief
Florida has a season for everything! We have Hurricane Season, Rainy Season, Foggy Season and yes, we have sea turtle nesting season…and this year it started early! Sea turtle nesting season normally begins on May 1st and ends on Oct 31, however, this week the officials in St. Johns County have discovered two leatherback turtle nests on the beaches.
These turtles crawl out of the water, make a nest on the beach, lay their eggs and head back for the waters overnight. Once the hatchlings arrive, they are usually greeting by a host of creatures that would like nothing more than to make them breakfast! Birds, fish and raccoons are the three top predators for newly hatched leatherback turtles. Most counties in Florida implement some sort of protection plan for these little turtle babies to ensure their survival until they make it back into the water, once in the ocean, they are on their own!
Since the turtles have started to come early this year, none of the normal beach restrictions have been put into place, therefore, residents and visitors in Florida are urged to reduce the beach front lighting and limit their driving time along the beach at night and during the early morning hours, this will reduce the risk of possibly harming the leatherback turtles.
~Wind
How does lighting at night affect the turtles’ safety? I guess I would rationalize the lights might keep the predators away, but I’m certainly no turtle expert.
Hi Melanie! The turtles are attracted to light and this can cause disorientation for the adults and the hatchlings. In areas were the light is intense, the females will avoid altogether which can cause problems for them while they try to nest.
If those humans that live on the beach keep their curtains closed on the windows that face the ocean and dim their outside lights, it will help the nesting turtles and their babies find the ocean in the short time that they have, before they fall prey to all those predators that are waiting for them!
Ahh…that makes sense. Thanks for answering my inquiry!
Your welcome, Melanie! Glad I could help
Oddly enough Linda, the Leatherback turtle is one of the rare aquatic turtles that has a soft shell!