If you love sea turtles, you’re in luck! Hollywood is one of the best places to witness these amazing creatures as they lay their eggs on the sandy shores. Sea turtle nesting season runs from March 1 to October 31, and you might spot three different types of turtles: leatherbacks, loggerheads, and greens.
Leatherbacks are the largest and rarest of sea turtles, weighing up to 2,000 pounds and measuring up to 8 feet long. They are the first to arrive on the beaches, usually in early March1. Loggerheads are the most common sea turtles that nest in Florida, with reddish-brown shells and powerful jaws. They start nesting in April and can lay up to 100 eggs per nest2. Greens are named for their greenish skin color and have a smooth shell with no scales. They nest from May to June and can lay up to 200 eggs per nest.
Sea turtles are endangered species and need our help to survive. If you find a nesting site, please follow these tips:
Do not touch or disturb the turtle or the eggs. Keep your distance and observe quietly.
Do not use flashlights or flash photography. Bright lights can scare or confuse the turtle and prevent her from nesting or returning to the sea.
Do not leave trash or debris on the beach. These can harm or entangle the turtle or her hatchlings.
Turn off or shield any artificial lights near the beach at night. Lights can disorient hatchlings and make them crawl away from the sea instead of towards it.
Report any injured or dead turtles to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC.
You can also support sea turtle conservation by volunteering with local organizations, such as Sea Turtle Oversight Protection (STOP) or Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program.
Sea turtles are amazing animals that have been around for millions of years. Let’s help them thrive for many more by respecting their nesting season and protecting their habitat.
To learn more about Sea Turtles or volunteer to help the magnificent animals we share the beach with visit The Sea Turtle Conservation Program website at www.seaturtleop.com.
