North Myrtle Beach Sea Turtle Patrol. Powered by Blogger.

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

NMB STP NEST #18

 This nest was called in by some very nice beach walkers, the NMB STP immediately responded, to make sure this mother was able to nest in darkness, no lights, no noise, no one around her. the nest incubated for 51 days before emerging.  104 eggs were found in this nest, one was used for DNA testing. With a disappointing hatch rate of 67.9%. a lot of unknowns as to why this was so low. 

IN THE DARK OF THE NIGHT THIS NESTING LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLE MOTHER WAS ABLE TO NEST AS NATURE INTENTED, NO LIGHTS AND ALL QUIET ON THE BEACH.  A JOB WELL DONE, AND ON HER WAY BACK OUT TO THE SEA, GIVING THIS LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLE SPECIES, HOPE OF THIER SURVIVAL.  (NO LIGHTS OR FLASH WAS USED TO TAKE THIS PHOTO).



 A PERFECT NIGHT, ALL IS PEACEFUL AS THE MOON IS SHINING BRIGHT, LEADING THE WAY FOR THIS LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLE TO RETURN BACK TO THE OCEAN.  ALL THAT IS LEFT IS THE VERY FAINT CRAWL(TRACKS) FROM THIS NESTING MOTHER.




9 LIVE HATCHLINGS WERE FOUND IN THIS NEST THAT WERE UNABLE TO MAKE IT OUT OF THE NEST.


IN THIS PICTURE YOU CAN SEE THE LIVE HATCHLINGS, ONE WHOLE EGG AND COLLAPSTED NONVIABLE EGG.



ALL ARE ABLE TO LOOK AT THE HATCHLINGS AND THE NONVIABLE EGGS



THE HATCHLINGS THAT WERE TRAPPED UNDER THE SAND, FROM THIS INVENTORY ARE NOW MAKING THE CRAWL TO THE OCEAN TO START THIER JOURNEY IN LIFE.



THIS PICTURE IS TAKEN BY NMB STP VOLUNTEER JULIE BOSTIAN AND IS COPYRIGHTED.  MANY THANKS TO JULIE WITH SPLASH STUDIO.

   

INVENTORY RESULTS
104 WERE IN THIS NEST, ONE USED FOR DNA STUDIES
67.9% hatch success rate

103 eggs
70 hatched eggs
33 whole eggs, of these 1 was pipped
9 live hatchlings

All Sea Turtles are endangered, they are federally, and state protected, special guidelines, training and permits are needed to work with all Sea Turtles, nest, eggs, and strandings.


If you see a Hatchling, or stranded Sea Turtle on NMB or Briarcliffe please call the NMB STP Hotline
843-213-9074
any time day or night



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