May 1, 2022
2022 Turtle Nesting Season
04-13-2022 Leatherback Turtle Crawl & Nest
Today marks the first day of the 2022 Turtle Nesting Season! The season runs from May 1 through October 31. Mama turtles are beginning to come to shore to lay their eggs on our beaches. During nesting season our volunteers patrol the beach each morning to look for turtle crawls (tracks left in the sand by mama turtles as they make their way onto the beach to lay their eggs). Volunteers are trained to locate turtle crawls, determine if a nest was laid, collect detailed information about the crawl/nest (which will be reported to the FWC), and clearly mark the nest so that its location is known for further evaluation and so that it remains protected and undisturbed by beachgoers.
We are excited to report that we have already had 6 Sea Turtles come to shore to lay eggs this year (3 Leatherbacks and 1 Loggerhead in Volusia and 2 Leatherbacks in Flagler)! Leatherbacks are the first to lay eggs each season. They are the largest of all the sea turtles and can weigh up to 2,000 pounds. A single track (as seen in the photo above taken by one of our volunteers) is enormous compared to the tracks of other species of sea turtles and can easily span 5 feet in width. To learn more about the Leatherback and all of the species of sea turtles found on Florida's beaches, click here.
We are excited to report that we have already had 6 Sea Turtles come to shore to lay eggs this year (3 Leatherbacks and 1 Loggerhead in Volusia and 2 Leatherbacks in Flagler)! Leatherbacks are the first to lay eggs each season. They are the largest of all the sea turtles and can weigh up to 2,000 pounds. A single track (as seen in the photo above taken by one of our volunteers) is enormous compared to the tracks of other species of sea turtles and can easily span 5 feet in width. To learn more about the Leatherback and all of the species of sea turtles found on Florida's beaches, click here.
Tips for Sharing our Beaches with Sea Turtles
- Leave the beach the way you found it. Mama turtles can get trapped/injured in lawn chairs or stuck in holes dug in the sand. When leaving the beach, remove obstacles that could get in their way by taking everything with you when you leave, filling in holes and knocking down sandcastles.
- Pick up your trash. Mama turtles may think your plastic bag is a yummy jellyfish and eat it, making her sick or killing her. Look around before you leave and place your trash in recycle/trash bins.
- Lights out. Lighting along A1A, beach bonfires and flashlights can confuse mama turtles, discouraging them from coming ashore to lay their eggs. If they're already on shore, they may become disoriented or be frightened away.
- Do not disturb nesting mamas. If you see a turtle coming ashore to nest, do not approach! Give her space and don't make loud noises or quick movements. If she gets scared and returns to the ocean, she may dump her eggs in the sea and the baby turtles will perish.
Florida Sea Turtles
There are 5 species of sea turtles found along Florida's Beaches.
LOGGERHEADThe Loggerhead Turtle is the most common turtle on our beaches. She is named for her immense, block-like head and strong jaws.
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LEATHERBACKThe Leatherback Turtle is the largest turtle. She has a leathery shell, can reach up to 7 feet in length and weigh up to 1,500 pounds.
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GREENThe Green Turtle gets her name from the color of her fat. She is an herbivore, eating plants, sea grasses,
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HAWKSBILLThe Hawksbill Turtle has a beautiful, distinct carapace (shell). It is tortoiseshell in color and almost heart-shaped.
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KEMP'S RIDLEYThe Kemp's Ridley is the most endangered sea turtle in the world. She is relatively small, weighing less than 100 pounds.
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If you find a sick or injured sea turtle, please do not place it back in the water as it may need medical assistance.
Call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commision at 1-888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922).
Call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commision at 1-888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922).