sea turtles - City of Clearwater

ADOPT A NEST!Adopt-A-Turtle-Nest benefits include :• Date of deposition and emergence• Information on hatchling success• Adoption Certificate• Location of adopted nestTo help protect sea turtle nests on thebeach, please contribute to ourAdopt-A-Nest program.Just fill out the form below and send $25 toCLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM249 Windward PassageClearwater, FL 33767Make checks payable to:Clearwater Marine AquariumThe Clearwater Marine Aquarium isa 501(c)(3) non-profit organizationdedicated to the rescue, rehabilitationand release of marine animals.In addition, the Aquarium providesenvironmental education to thepublic through exhibits and classes.If you have any questions regardingsea turtles and lighting, or areconcerned about a nest in your area,please contact the Clearwater MarineAquarium.SEA TURTLESHelp them SurviveTurtle Nesting SeasonMay - OctoberLIGHTS OUT!NAMEADDRESSCITY STATE ZIPPHONEE-MAIL727-441-1790 ext.224249 Windward PassageClearwater, FL 33767www.CMAquarium.orgPhotograph provided by FWCLoggerhead Turtles& Hatchlingsuse these beaches at night!They are a protected,endangered species!

PLEASEreport allSea Turtle sightings to theCLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUMso we can protect thesewonderful creatures.727-441-1790 ext 224Sea Turtles are marine reptiles that spendmost of their lives at sea. During the night,from May through early September, the350-pound female sea turtle comes ashoreto deposit her eggs.Florida is home to one of the largest nestingpopulations of Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)sea turtles in the world. During a singlenesting season, one female will lay four orfive nests, depositing an average of 120eggs into a bell-shaped cavity that is 2 to 3feet in depth. The nest is characterized bythe tracks left in the sand by the female.Typical of most reptile eggs, sea turtle eggsresemble soft, leathery ping pong balls.During an approximate incubation of 60days, the eggs are vulnerable to a variety ofpredators including raccoons, dogs, antsand people.When the three-inch hatchlings emerge,they use the natural light from the moon andstars reflecting off the water to find their wayto the ocean. In areas where artificial lightingoverpowers natural light, hatchlings canbecome disoriented leading to dehydrationand even death.Sea Turtles use the cover of darkness toavoid encounters with people and predators.When beaches are heavily lit, females tendto avoid nesting. It is important during nestingseason to eliminate artificial lighting byturning unnecesary lights off, shielding lights,or changing light fixtures to more appropriatelighting.Sea Turtles are protected under the EndangeredSpecies Act and by Florida State law.Penalties for interfering with Sea Turtles canbe severe.Sea Turtles have been around since the timeof the dinosaurs. Although their exact role inthe ocean is unknown, the mere fact theyhave survived as a species for so long is testamentto their importance on earth.Photographs providedby FWCADULT TURTLESNesting SeasonMay 1 - August 31HATCHLINGS ON THE BEACH AT NIGHTJuly - OctoberDO NOT:ADULT TURTLES• Harass the turtle as she makes her wayback to the sea. After nesting, the turtlemay appear slow or hesitant – this is normal.• Approach, make noises, shine lights oruse photo equipment with a flash.DO:• Give her a lot of space and approachfrom a distance – your eyes will adjust tothe darkness.HATCHLINGSDO NOT:• Pick up hatchlings heading toward thewater, shine lights or use photo equipmentwith a flash.DO:• Turn off outside lights, draw drapes andavoid using flashlights or fishing lamps onthe beach from May 1 to October 31.Background photograph provided by Georgia Sea Turtle CenterJekyll Island, Georgia