It's Washback Season.
Updated: October 1, 2019
If you've been to the beach recently, you've noticed that the waves are pretty rough out there. August through November is Washback Season. When baby sea turtles emerge from their nests and head for the ocean, they swim toward the Sargasso Sea. There they will find food and shelter from predators among the sargassum seaweed. The sea turtles will live there for the first few years of their lives as they strengthen and grow. When storms and strong winds occur, clumps of seaweed get "washed back" from the Sargasso Sea onto our beaches. Young sea turtles (weeks to months old) may hitch a ride on this seaweed and end up back on our beaches. They are called "Washbacks." If you see one on the beach, you may be tempted to place them back in the water, but please don't. They may be weak, exhausted and in need of medical assistance. Call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) for assistance. We thank you and the turtles thank you!
~ The Volusia/Flagler Turtle Patrol
Sea Turtle Quiz
Take our Sea Turtle Quiz to test your knowledge.
Then, check out the answers below to learn some turtle trivia!
Then, check out the answers below to learn some turtle trivia!
1. What is it called when a mama turtle crawls from the ocean onto the shore but does not lay a nest?
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A. Terminated Travel
B. False Crawl C. Arrested Journey D. Halted Clamber |
2. What is the underside of a sea turtle's shell called?
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A. Shute
B. Belly Bulge C. Carapace D. Plastron |
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3. What is the largest of all the sea turtles?
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A. Loggerhead Turtle
B. Kemp's Ridley Turtle C. Leatherback Turtle D. Green Turtle |
4. Which sea turtle is most likely to lay her nest during daylight?
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A. Kemp's Ridley
B. Hawksbill C. Leatherback D. Green |
5. What is a group of eggs laid at the same time in a single nest and incubated together called?
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A. Gaggle
B. Gang C. Clutch D. Litter |
~~~ Scroll below to see the answers and learn some trivia! ~~~
Answers:
1. (B) False Crawl. Sometimes mama turtles come to shore to lay their eggs but then have a change of heart and return to the ocean. They may not find a suitable place to nest or they may be frightened away by human activity, lights or noises.
2. (D) Plastron. The bottom (or belly-side) of a sea turtle's shell is called the Plastron. The top (or back-side) is called the Carapace.
3. (C) Leatherback. The largest sea turtle in the world is the Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). They can reach up to seven feet in length and weigh upwards of 1,500 pounds!
4. (A) Kemp's Ridley. The Kemp's Ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) is more likely than any other species of sea turtle to come ashore to nest during daylight hours. They are also unique in that they are the smallest species of sea turtle, with a carapace length of 2 feet and weight of 70-100 pounds.
5. (C) Clutch. A group of eggs laid in a single nest is called a Clutch. The average clutch size (or number of eggs) varies by the type of turtle. Most species average around 110 eggs per clutch. The Hawksbill holds the record with an average of 140 eggs with recorded clutches of more than 200 eggs!
If you come across a nesting sea turtle on our beaches, please keep your distance and do not disturb her.
She may become spooked and return to the water before laying her eggs.
She may become spooked and return to the water before laying her eggs.
If you find a sick or injured sea turtle, please do not place it back in the water.
Call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) for assistance.
Call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) for assistance.