http://SiestaKeyBlueWave.com Protecting Our Florida Sea Turtles is a responsibility of each of us. The Hawksbill and Kemp's Ridley sea turtles frequent the Florida waters, however they do not nest here. So now expanding on the huge population let's look further into our precious visitors. There are approximately 50,000 sea turtles in Florida during the summer months. This makes it the most important nesting area in the United States. * Turtle Nesting In Florida The turtle disguises the nest by flinging sand over it. Once she leaves the nest, she never returns. Beginning in May each year the hatching continues through late October. A female can lay several nests during one season and she only nests every two or three years. The nesting process takes hours. A turtle must drag her massive weight out of the water to the dunes. She uses her back flippers to dig a hole and deposits about one hundred rubbery eggs, each the size of a ping-pong ball. [ INSERT IMAGE - TURTLES INCUBATING #2] After incubating for two months, the hatchelings break out of their shells and thrash about together causing the walls of the nest to collapse and the bottom of the hole to rise. Once near the surface, the hatchelings wait until the sand temperature cools to emerge. Therefore most emerge after dark. Once out of the nest, the turtles scramble to the water and swim offshore where they will live for several years in seaweed beds drifting along the Gulf Stream. As the turtles grow older they move into coastal waters.

1. Protecting Our
Florida Sea
Turtles
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2. A responsibility of each of us.
Expanding on the huge
population let's look further into
our precious visitors. There are
approximately 50,000 sea turtles
in Florida during the summer
months. This makes it the most
important nesting area in the
United States.

3. Turtle Nesting In Florida
The turtle disguises the nest by
flinging sand over it. Once she leaves
the nest, she never returns.
Beginning in May each year the
hatching continues through late
October.

4. A female can lay several nests
during one season and she only
nests every two or three years. The
nesting process takes hours.
A turtle must drag her massive
weight out of the water to the
dunes. She uses her back flippers
to dig a hole and deposits about
one hundred rubbery eggs, each
the size of a ping-pong ball.

5. After incubating for two
months, the hatchlings break out
of their shells and thrash about
together causing the walls of the
nest to collapse and the bottom of
the hole to rise.

6. Once near the surface, the hatchlings
wait until the sand temperature cools
to emerge. Therefore most emerge
after dark. Once out of the nest, the
turtles scramble to the water and
swim offshore where they will live for
several years in seaweed beds drifting
along the Gulf Stream. As the turtles
grow older they move into coastal
waters.

7. Here Are Some Threats to the
Sea Turtles
The main danger for hatchlings is
from artificial lighting. When the
babies emerge, they instinctively
move in the brightest direction.
Normally, this would be the open
night sky reflected by the ocean.

8. On a developed
beach, artificial lights
attract the
hatchlings, causing them to
crawl in the wrong
direction.

9. All seven species of sea turtles are
in danger of extinction. Demand
for sea turtle meat, eggs, and
other by-products, as well as a
loss of habitat, commercial
fishing, and pollution have
contributed to their decline.

10. Other dangers include
obstructions on the
beach, such as beach
chairs, holes, or tire
tracks, all of which can
block their path to the sea.

11. You Can Help
If you are visiting, or live near the
beach, you can help by keeping
outside lights off during turtle
season from May through
October.

12. Make sure to remove
chairs, umbrellas and other gear
from the beach each night. Level all
sand castles and fill any holes dug
during play. Please pick up all trash.
Sea turtles mistakenly eat
debris, especially plastic, which
results in death. Never buy products
made from sea turtles or any other
endangered species.

13. This Is What You Can Do, If
You See A Turtle
If you encounter a nesting sea turtle
on the beach stay clear. Do not shine
lights or take flash photographs.
When frightened the nesting turtle
will return to the water where she
will drop her eggs. If you see an
injured, nesting or dead sea
turtle, call the Florida Marine Patrol
at 1-800-DIAL FMP

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