It’s sea turtle nesting season again in Florida. Sea turtles come back to the same beach where they hatched to lay their eggs. I found this nest on Caladesi Island several years ago. It is a good example of the hard work that goes into protecting the turtle nests from predators and vandals. If you are walking down the beach and you see a yellow sign like the one in the photo next to some wire on the ground or if you see wooden stakes connected with yellow tape, you’ll recognize that as a sea turtle nest.
Sea turtles crawl up out of the water and dig a hole, then lay their eggs in the sand before covering them up. Then the mother turtle returns to the sea. The baby turtles are on their own after that. Several months later, in August usually, the baby turtles dig their way out of the sand and head toward the water. Many things stand between the turtles and the water: birds, raccoons, people–even bright lights from homes and businesses along the shore can interfere with the turtles being able to find their way to the water. Once they are in the water the danger is not over. Many fish are waiting to prey upon the little turtles.
Here are some things to be aware of when you are on the beach during nesting and hatchling season:
- Don’t approach a nesting turtle or a turtle that is emerging from the water. You might frighten the turtle and prevent her from laying her eggs.
- Don’t shine a light on the turtle or use flash photography
- Don’t position yourself in front of a turtle laying eggs as this may cause the turtle to stop laying eggs and retreat to the water
- Be careful when walking along the beach at night during hatching season (late summer) lest you step on baby turtles.
- Don’t leave beach chairs and equipment on the beach at night. Turtles can get tangled up in the darndest things
- Don’t pick up baby turtles or play with or in any way molest a turtle nest, lest you go to jail
If you find a turtle or hatchling on the beach that needs help, refer to this page on the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch website.
