Hatchlings!

August 1, 2020
Unfortunately, with the first big storm of the season upon us, many hatchlings may be headed for a rough ride in the coming days. Nests on the beach may get washed out by the storm. Hatchlings that have already swum out to sea may be washed back by the strength of the winds and tides. If you find a weak hatchling on the beach after the storm, please do one of the following: ​
  • Call the FWC at 1-888-404-3922.
  • If you are local to our area, you may call our message line at 386-763-0977.
  • You may drop off weak hatchlings at any Lifeguard Station in Volusia County, Whitney Turtle Hospital in Marineland, the Bait Shop on the Flagler Beach Pier, or the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet.
 If dropping off a weak hatchling, please keep them in a quiet, shaded container with moist sand (approx. 1 inch) during transport. Do not submerge them in water; hatchlings need to breathe air and may be too exhausted or weak to lift their heads out of the water.
On a happier note, we are pleased to report that so far this season many hatchlings have already emerged from their nests and successfully headed out to sea! And, they continue to do so each day. After nests hatch, we conduct hatch success evaluations* to determine how many eggs were laid, how many turtles hatched, etc. One such evaluation was performed last month on a nest laid by a Leatherback Sea Turtle. Scroll down to check out the photos below!
​~Volusia/Flagler Turtle Patrol
*Please note:  Do not try this at home! Volunteers are trained to perform hatch success evaluations under the supervision of the FWC and Marine Turtle Permit holders. Sea turtles are protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 and Florida's Marine Turtle Protection Act. It is illegal to disturb, harass, take or possess marine turtles, nests, or eggs. ​​
Leatherback Hatch Success Evaluation
On July 13, we had the honor of conducting a hatch success evaluation (aka nest inventory or nest cleaning) ​of a Leatherback sea turtle. ​ Leatherbacks are the largest of all sea turtles, can weigh more than 1,000 pounds and grow to six feet in length. The hatchlings, however, as you can see from the photos below, are small and adorable!
​Our hatch success evaluation revealed:
  • 70 eggs hatched and emerged
  • 10 eggs whole (unhatched)
  • 1 hatchling live
  • 1 hatchling pipped live (alive, partially out of egg)
  • 34 spacers (egg-like but smaller and not viable)
Did You Know?
Mama turtles come to shore multiple times per nesting season, depositing eggs in different locations at different times. They do not put "all of their eggs in one basket" so to speak. So, if one clutch is lost to a storm such as Isaias, another may survive. Good thinking, mama turtles!
2020 Turtle Fest ANNOUNCEMENT
​In light of COVID-19 and for the health/safety of our community, 
we regret to announce that ​the 2020 Turtle Fest has been canceled. 
Stay tuned for more information regarding upcoming Turtle Patrol fundraisers.

Florida Sea Turtles

There are 5 species of sea turtles found along Florida's Beaches.

LOGGERHEAD

The Loggerhead Turtle is the most common turtle on  our beaches. She is named for her immense, block-like head and strong jaws.

LEATHERBACK

The 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.

GREEN

The Green Turtle gets her name from the color of her fat. She is an herbivore, eating plants, sea grasses,
​ and algae.

HAWKSBILL

The Hawksbill Turtle has a beautiful, distinct carapace (shell). It is  tortoiseshell in color and almost heart-shaped. 

KEMP'S RIDLEY

The Kemp's Ridley is the most endangered sea turtle in the world. She is relatively small, weighing less than 100 pounds.
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.