Sea Turtle Awareness

Loggerhead sea turtles are probably the first species that comes to mind when you think of sea turtles. That’s because this handsome turtle is more common and widespread than other species that nest on our north Florida beaches. They get their name from their large, blocky heads and the animals can grow up to 400 pounds with a length of 2 to 4 feet. Loggerheads are omnivores that feast on everything from jellyfish, crabs, sea urchins, starfish, sponges and corals. Their upper shell (carapace) is generally reddish-brown, and the lower shell (plastron) is light yellow. As with other sea turtle species, nesting success can be affected by coastal storms, shoreline development, artificial lighting, and predators such as raccoons, coyotes, dogs, and crabs that feast on turtle eggs. Like other sea turtles, they are protected by the Federal Endangered Species Act. For more information about sea turtles, check out the free “Turtle Talks” every Tuesday afternoon through the summer at the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, 108 Island Drive, Eastpoint. And while you’re there, learn how you can adopt a sea turtle nest through our Adopt-a-Nest program. They make great gifts, too!

Loggerhead Sea Turtle only comes ashore to lay her eggs

Hatchlings or baby sea turtles start hatching on Saint George Island in July and will continue to emerge from nests through October. We are so lucky to share our beautiful beach with these rare and very endangered sea creatures. They hatch at night to avoid daytime predators such as crabs and gulls. They find their way to the ocean by navigating by the reflected light from the sky and water. But this means that any artificial lights left on at beach houses, decks, pools, or porches can disorient them, leading them in the wrong direction where they can quickly die. So PLEASE help baby sea turtles find safe passage by keeping the beach as dark as possible and by pulling your curtains at night so interior lights (especially bright ceiling lights) don’t shine down. And, if you are out and about on the beach after dark, use only turtle-safe flashlights. Standard flashlights can startle and disorient both adult turtles and baby turtles. If you’d like to adopt a sea turtle nest, click the link above. For more information about sea turtles check out the Nature Center of the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, 108 Island Drive, Eastpoint.

Loggerhead Sea Turtle hatchling

Green sea turtles are the second largest sea turtle species to visit the beaches of the Apalachicola Bay area. Green turtles can grow to 350 pounds and reach lengths of 4 feet (only the Leatherback is larger). That’s a lot of bulk to haul up the beach each summer to dig a nest and lay eggs. Similar to other turtles, the sex of the hatchlings depends entirely on the temperature of the sand. Eggs that incubate in hot sand will be male and those that incubate in cooler temperatures will be female. Green turtles get their name from the fact that they are herbivores, dining on algae, seaweed, and grasses which turns their body fat green. Their shells are dark brown, olive, or gray. For more information about sea turtles, check out the free “Turtle Talks” every Tuesday afternoon through the summer at the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, 108 Island Drive, Eastpoint. And while you’re there, learn how you can adopt a sea turtle nest through our Adopt-a-Nest program. They make great gifts, too!

Green sea turtle

Here in the Apalachicola Bay region, citizen scientists walk the beaches every morning looking for new nests they can protect. If you’d like to help sea turtles, start by making sure the beaches are kept clean, flat and dark throughout the sea turtle nesting season which runs from May 1 to October 30. Also, give nesting adults and hatchlings a wide berth to avoid disturbing them at all times. You can also adopt a sea turtle nest of your own to help finance the Turtle Patrol’s activities. You’ll also receive an adoption certificate, a custom sticker only given to adopters, and a photo of your nest. Go to Adopt-a-Nest – Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (apalachicolareserve.com) to easily adopt a nest via PayPal. For more information, check out the Nature Center at the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve at 108 Island Drive, Eastpoint.

During sea turtle season, sea turtles and shorebirds love our beaches as much as you do so here’s how to share the shoreline!

Holes: If you dig holes in the sand or build sandcastles, please erase your work before you leave at the end of the day. Holes are a major tripping hazard for people (especially at night), and they can also become death traps for mama sea turtles coming ashore to lay eggs. And large sandcastles (especially those with deep moats) act as a barrier to sea turtles coming ashore.

Lights: During sea turtle nesting season, keep the beach as dark as possible. If you own or rent a home on the beach or directly across the street, turn off any lights or use turtle-safe bulbs to prevent mother or baby sea turtles from getting confused. If you walk the beach at night, use turtle-safe flashlights. Do NOT use standard white flashlights.

Gear: Clear the beach at night. Always remove all chairs, tents, grills, coolers, etc when you are done for the day. These objects will trap sea turtles coming ashore at night. 

For more information about our local beaches, visit the Nature Center at the Apalachicola Estuarine Research Reserve, 108 Island Drive, Eastpoint 

Sea Turtle nest marked and protected