A call coming into the NMB STP Hotline about a Sea Turtle Coming to shore. The caller is great asking all people to back away from this endangered loggerhead Sea Turtle and no lights. NMB STP Volunteers are soon there to ensure all is quiet and dark. She was able to nest in peace and quiet.
Once Sea Turtles enter the Ocean as Baby Hatchlings, they spend their entire life in the Ocean. The only time a Sea Turtle will come to shore is to nest or stranded and in need of help.
When a Sea Turtle comes to shore to nest, they are leaving the environment they are meant to be in. Dragging their heavy body up on shore up as far as the dunes or where they feel is a good place to lay her eggs. She then will dig a hole much in a shape of a lightbulb only about 6 inches in diameter at the top, then wider at the bottom. This is done with just her back flippers, a task in itself. She then will begin laying her eggs, this again will take quite a while and allot of energy. After this she will cover her eggs, again another feat in itself. she will do her best to hide her precious egg chamber by throwing sand with just her flippers. And now it's time for her to head back to the Ocean, dragging her large body with her flippers. She's exhausted, out of her environment, but doing what it takes to ensure she is doing her part to help her species survive. This same mother will usually lay multiple nests in the season she is nesting. So please, if you encounter a Nesting Sea Turtle Stay away, never be in front of her and never shine a light on her, this can spook her and she may leave the beach returning to the Ocean without nesting.
All is quiet and Dark, on her way back to the Ocean the Permitted Sea Turtle volunteers will Measure this Sea Turtle, do a pit tag scan on her and check her overall health and look for any potential entanglement's she may have.
The body pit is roped off to protect this nest from anyone walking through it and also, to make sure it is not run over until the morning.
The tracks (Crawl) of this beautiful Endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle
The body Pit (Nest)
The V in the crawl will tell the Volunteers what way she was coming or going.
This nest was located in a busy part of the beach with many bright lights from Highrise's. The lights would disorient the Hatchlings once ready to head to the Ocean. For these reasons the Eggs will be relocated to a safer part of the beach.
All are excited to know that their hard dedication and commitment have resulted in being able to help in the survival of the endangered Sea Turtle Species. The NMB STP Volunteer walk one or more mornings all summer long From May 1st until the middle of August. They walk rain or shine (unless lightning or dangerous to be on the beach.) While they get many beautiful mornings, they also end up cold and drenched. Because of all of the NMP STP Volunteers out walking every morning these nests are able to be found and protected. So many thanks to all of the NMB STP Volunteers out walking every morning.
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Great job NMB STP Volunteers
All Sea Turtles are endangered; they are federally and state protected. Special Training, guidelines and permits are required to work with Nest Sea Turtles, Nest, Hatchling and stranded Sea Turtles.
If you encounter a Nesting Sea Turtle, Hatchling or stranded Sea Turtle in NMB or Briarcliffe areas please call immediately.
NMBSTP HOTLINE
843-213-9074
ANY TIME DAY OR NIGHT
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