What do the hatchlings do after they leave their nests?Īfter the two-month incubation period, the turtle hatchlings all dig out of their nest at the same time, a process that can take several days. The extra dollars go toward protection, research, and recovery programs at the Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The next time you renew your automobile registration at your local tax collector's office, request a specialty sea turtle plate. Join and support the Sea Turtle Survival League by calling 1-80 or writing to 4424 N.W. Use your local newspaper to inform people about the plight of sea turtles and what they can do to help. Look for biodegradable alternatives, and correctly dispose of used toxic chemicals. Ordinary lawn and garden fertilizers wash into coastal waters killing plants and animals. Reduce the amount of fertilizers you use. ![]() The fewer obstacles sea turtles have to overcome, the better their chances of successful nesting. Studies have also shown that light from low pressure sodium vapor sources don't attract turtles as much as high pressure sodium lights Avoid fluorescent, mercury vapor, metal halide, and white incandescent lighting. Suggested alternatives to decrease artificial lighting include use of motion sensors for safety, dark window tinting and curtains to cover inside light, and yellow incandescent light bulbs ("bug lights"). Turn off the lights! Keep beachfront lights off throughout the night from May to October as they can confuse sea turtles during the mating season.Reduce the amount of plastic garbage you produce.Never buy products made from sea turtles.This encourages them to approach people in high traffic areas. Do not feed sea turtles or other wildlife.This entangles many types of wildlife including sea turtles. Check with organizations or schools in your area to become involved in clearing the beaches of trash that could be harmful to wildlife. ![]() Organize or join a beach clean up day.What can I do to help protect Florida's sea turtles? Sea turtles range in size from the 75-100 pound Kemp's ridley to the 1,300 pound, 8-foot-long leatherback. How many species of sea turtles are there in Florida?įive species of sea turtles can be found in Florida: It is also illegal to import, sell, or transport turtles or their products. ![]() This makes it illegal to harm, harass, or kill any sea turtles, their eggs, or hatchlings. The federal Endangered Species Act lists the green, leatherback, hawksbill, and Kemp's ridley turtle as endangered. How many species of sea turtles are listed as endangered or threatened?Īll five Florida species are listed as either endangered or threatened. After digging a hole and depositing about 80-120 eggs, the females fill in the hole with sand and camouflage the nest before returning to the sea. How many nests does each female sea turtle lay?įemales nest every two to three years, laying several nests on sandy beaches. Sea turtle eggs have an incubation period of about two months.Īlong the Florida coast, sea turtles annually make between 40,000 and 84,000 nests. How long does it take before the eggs hatch? Sea turtles can live 40 to 60 years or more. On a natural beach, this direction is the light of the open horizon. Sea turtles are born with the instinct to move toward the brightest direction. How do hatchlings know the direction of the ocean when they emerge from their nests? Hatchlings emerge from their nests at all phases of the moon and successfully find the ocean.
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