Survey of sea turtles on Don Pedro, Gasparilla
This essay is part of a mini-series of stories from Barrier Islands Parks
BY THE BARRIER ISLAND PARKS SOCIETY
May through October is the official sea turtle nesting season in Southwest Florida. During these months, adult female sea turtles make an amazing journey home to nest and lay eggs on the very beach where they were hatched 20 to 30 years before.
Barrier Islands, such as those in Cayo Costa, Don Pedro, Gasparilla, and Stump Pass Florida State Parks are vital habitats for returning sea turtles to nest and lay eggs. Currently, Cayo Costa State Park has 561 loggerhead and one green sea turtle nests with 161 loggerhead nests successfully hatched. Gasparilla Island State Park had 42 nests. Three hatched prior to Hurricane Debby, but all were lost to sea except for nine, and only five are still viable. Don Pedro Island has 197 loggerheads and 30 greens with 89 loggerheads hatched. Stump Pass Beach State Park has 273 loggerheads and one green with 132 loggerheads hatched. The most common nesting sea turtle on the SW Florida Coast is the Loggerhead, but rarer species have also now been documented nesting in some of these parks, including the Kemps Ridley and Green Sea Turtle.
Most female sea turtles come to shore at night to nest and can lay 50 to 200 eggs before returning to the sea. They use front flippers to move on land, which leave a distinctive trail called a “crawl.” The crawl can be used to identify whether a nest has been laid and by what species. Licensed state officials and turtle patrols locate and mark the nests, so the eggs are not disturbed. Nests typically hatch at night in 45 to 60 days. The hatchlings emerge all at once, in what is called a “boil,” because the sand looks like it is boiling as they move. Once they hatch, they instinctively rush to the sea by following the brightest light: moon or horizon light over the water. Sadly, only approximately one in 1,000 survive to return to the beach to nest in adulthood.
Development, human activity, and predation are some of the greatest threats to nesting turtles and hatchlings. The good news is that humans can take an active role in protecting them for future generations by using extra caution during nesting season. Staying clear of staked sea turtle nests is a good start. Keeping dogs, who often prey on sea turtles and their eggs, away from beaches during these months is even better. Removing trash, debris, and outdoor furniture from the beach and filling in dug out sand can also greatly reduce the risks of turtles getting trapped. Trapped turtles almost always die from exposure, starvation, strangulation, predation, or injury.
Any homes or businesses on or near the beach should also turn off all artificial lights and close blinds at night, because lights can confuse the hatchlings into following the light on land instead of the light over the sea. Once lost, they become an easy target for predators, traffic, pets, and people. Sea turtles are endangered species protected by law. Touching or tampering with sea turtles or nests is illegal.
Visit BIPS.org for more information.
