As calls are coming into the Hotline from Leonard, a friend of the patrol and calls from NMB STP Volunteers, about a nice crawl and a huge body pit. As pictures were coming into the hotline, Linda knew what this looked like, an Endangered Green Sea Turtle.
The NMB STP had encountered a Green Sea Turtle before as she had come to shore, crawling halfway up the beach but returning to the ocean without nesting. It is very rare to have a Green Sea Turtle nest in SC. But many patrol volunteers had dreams and hopes for the day when a Green Sea Turtle would nest on the beaches of NMB. While there has never been a documented Green Sea Turtle nest in NMB, this would prove to be the first. Green Sea Turtles are the second biggest Sea Turtles, weighing about 400-500 pounds.
This would be the day that all this hoping would come true. A HUGE body pit, not anything you could miss. Thrown sand several feet as she tries to cover up her egg cavity and disguise it.
The Crawl will tell much of the story. This crawl is very different from what the patrol volunteers normally see from the Endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle that typically nest on the beaches of SC. The crawl at first sight is wider than the Loggerhead Sea Turtles.
Loggerhead Sea Turtles crawl will have alternating flipper marks, while green Sea Turtles will have symmetrical flipper marks and a prominent tail drag. The line in the middle of this crawl is the dragline from her tail, the flipper marks are in unison as she crawls.
Many NMB STP are there to help, many people walking the beach have come to the nest, NMB STP Volunteers are eagerly sharing their passion and knowledge with all that come. The future of the Endangered Sea Turtle Species also depends on learning and education to help save them.
Probing will start, we have all heard stories from fellow Volunteers, with the huge nest and several feet of thrown sand how challenging it may be to find and are prepared to be there quite a while. Chuck will be probing this nest, he looked, studied the signs from this nesting mother. He also noticed a trail of ants leading to a certain spot.
Probing was complete in just one probe. The egg chamber was found, what a feeling that must have been. Great job reading the signs Chuck.
And eggs are found.
This nest is too close to the water line so will be relocated to a safer spot.
113 eggs are found.
A cage is put around the nest, to help protect the eggs from anything sharing the beaches.
Poles and a rope are put around the cage with a sign indicating this is a Protected Endangered Sea Turtle Nest.
One egg will be used for DNA research.
Protected Green Sea Turtle nest
All Sea Turtles are Endangered, they are federally and state protected. Special guidelines, training, and permits are required to work with Nesting Sea Turtles, nest, hatchlings and stranded Sea Turtles.
If you encounter a Sea Turtle in NMB or Briarcliffe areas, please call the NMB STP Hotline.
NMB STP HOTLINE
843-213-9074
ANY TIME DAY OR NIGHT
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