Inventory results of endangered Sea Turtle nest # 3

 This nest incubated for 58 days. It was relocated because it was in a high traffic area with many lights.  If left in the original location it would have been very devastating to the hatchlings when they emerged.  The bright lights from the high rises would disorient the small baby hatchlings and they would go towards the bright lights and road area.

The information behind this endangered Sea Turtle nest is shared with all that have come to this inventory. Since this nest was relocated, we are able to share this information of how many eggs were in this nest.  Also, the importance of the research behind the DNA egg that is taken with every nest.

This nest incubated for 58 days

All are able to look at what the unviable eggs actually look like.  Many people have never seen what an endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle egg looks like.  The hatchlings found in this nest are carefully brought around in a bucket so all can see too. 

The egg chamber that is left after the inventory, and the hatched eggshells.  Many amazed how a Sea Turtle can dig such a deep hole with just her back flippers.  They will dig a hole on average of18 to 24 inches deep sometime deeper or shallower.

Three live hatchlings are found in this nest that could not make it out of the nest on its own.  They are released on the beach as they make their way to the Ocean to start their journey of life.

This photo and some of the other photos in this blog were taken by Cherie Barret 

they are copyrighted and belong to her.

The great inventory results on this nest

119 eggs in this nest. 1 was used for DNA results with 118 eggs being relocated

97.5% hatch success rate 

118 eggs relocated in this nest

115 Hatched eggs

3 whole eggs:

    1 egg never developed

    1 egg started to develop but died early

     1 egg died late development

1 dead hatchling

3 live hatchlings, released on the beach 

All Sea Turtles are endangered, they are federally, and state protected. Special guidelines, training and permits are required to work with Nesting Turtles, Hatchlings and stranded Sea Turtles

If you are in NMB or Briarcliffe Beach and encounter a nesting Sea Turtle, Hatchling or stranding please call:

NMB STP HOTLINE

843-213-9074

ANY TIME, DAY OR NIGHT