Sea Turtles Are Hatching On Escambia’s Beaches. Their Odds Of Survival Are Not Good.

July 26, 2020

If you head to the beach, look out for the sea turtles. Their odds of survival are not good; Escambia County says  1 in 1000 hatchlings will survive to adulthood.

Escambia County’s sea turtle nesting season has just passed its halfway mark, with a total of 17 nests located on Perdido Key and Pensacola Beach. Fifteen nests are Loggerhead, the most common turtle to county beaches, and the other two are rare Kemp’s Ridley nests.

Nesting may occur through the late summer; however, the first nests are expected to hatch in early August.  Sea turtle hatchlings face many threats on their first trip to the Gulf, both natural and human-caused.

Bright artificial lights from homes, cars and businesses may disorient hatchlings, leading them away from the Gulf and into danger. Furniture, toys, holes and other obstacles on the beach may trap hatchlings or cause serious injury.

Hatchlings that don’t reach the Gulf quickly are easy prey for predators and at risk of dehydration, starvation and death.

If you see a nest hatching or encounter hatchlings turtles on the beach, call Escambia County Marine Resources at 850-426-1257. If you encounter a nesting turtle, turn off all lights and retreat a safe distance away.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

4 Responses to “Sea Turtles Are Hatching On Escambia’s Beaches. Their Odds Of Survival Are Not Good.”

  1. Stephanie Boehm on August 15th, 2020 10:15 pm

    Returned from Perdido Key last week. There was a nest near the Florabama. Has this nest of turtles hatched? Hoping these guys made it.

  2. Sheri on July 28th, 2020 1:19 am

    I would love to volunteer if needed on finding hatchlings.
    This is something I’ve always wanted to do..Sea turtles are very beautiful and delicate anything to save them I’m definitely in.

  3. Debbie on July 27th, 2020 2:58 pm

    I went to Pensacola beach a couple of weeks ago in the evening. Tourist were out everywhere with their flashlights. There were soooooo many flashlights I couldn’t believe it. What happened to hotels giving out Red covers for the flashlights and informing tourist of the importance ?

  4. Sherry Ewy on July 26th, 2020 12:39 pm

    I wonder if it would help if people filled their holes before they left? I’ve never thought of it that way, but we leave many dints when we beach

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News