It’s that time of year when Sea Turtles begin to nest! Visiting St. Augustine might be your best chance to see them from a safe distance. The beaches in northeast Florida are important nesting areas for the loggerhead, green and the leatherback sea turtles. Beginning May 1 through October 31 is when sea turtles emerge from the Atlantic Ocean to nest on our beaches. The female turtles swim from the ocean to the beach late at night to lay their eggs. Each female lays about 100 eggs, 2-3 times per season, on a 2-3 year cycle. Once the females have laid their eggs, about 60 days later, the eggs hatch and make their way to the ocean.
In order for female sea turtles to return to the beach, they use the Earth’s invisible magnetic field, which is what they use to navigate at sea. Meaning that each coastline has its own magnetic signature, and the sea turtles remember them. How fascinating is that!
Leatherback Sea Turtles
The Leatherback sea turtles are the largest turtles on Earth. Their average life span is about 45 years, weighing up to 2,000 pounds and growing as big as 7 feet! This particular reptile feeds mostly on jellyfish, which in return helps control the population of jellyfish. Leatherback turtles are very active, only resting 0.1% of their day. Their constant swimming creates muscle-derived heat which helps keep them warm. Leatherback turtles are one of the deepest diving marine animals known to date. Some turtles have been recorded diving to depths as deep as 4,200 feet. That is the same as 14 football fields! They are also the fastest-moving reptiles. In 1992 the Leatherback Sea Turtle was recorded into the Guinness Book of World Records, moving at twenty-one mph! Don’t be surprised if you see one of these majestic turtles during your next fishing charter.
Loggerhead Sea Turtles
The Loggerhead is the most abundant of all the marine turtle species in U.S waters. These sea turtles can live up to 50 years and weigh as much as 250 pounds. The young Loggerheads usually live within 15 feet of the ocean surface, where the water is warm.
Green Sea Turtles
Green sea turtles are the first sea turtles to ever be studied. Most of what we know about sea turtles comes from studies of the green turtles. These reptiles are herbivores, which means they feed on plants only. Once they reach maturity they can live up to 80 years in the wild. They can weigh up to 700 pounds and be 5 feet in size.
Baby Turtles, What Happens After the Eggs Are Laid
After 2 months, the hatchlings emerge out of the nest as a group. As the little ones exit the nest, they instinctively search for the horizon by looking for natural light reflecting off the water. This light they see helps guide them towards the ocean. It is very important to us that we limit exterior lighting during this season. We don’t want to confuse the baby turtles and point them in the wrong direction.
Join us this summer and see these beautiful creatures in action. Find out more about the sea turtle adventures by monitoring the Crescent Beach Turtle Patrol on Facebook.
We ask that you please be cautious while on the beach during this time and watch for signs that prohibit human access due to the nests. Do not shine any light at a turtle, we don’t want her to abandon her little ones. And if you happen to see a sea turtle, you are welcome to get excited about the beauty of it all, but please do not approach it. When you finally see the evidence of the trek they have to make, we all want to do our part to make their incredible journey a little easier.