22 Apr Turtle Nesting Season In Sarasota County and Lido Key
Baby Turtles during Nesting Season on Lido Key
Sea Turtle Nesting Season in Sarasota County and it’s barrier islands is coming up soon. Here at Suntide Island Beach Club, we take great responsibility in helping to educate locals and visitors about the local environment and all its wonders. May through October is sea turtle nesting season in Sarasota County and we are lucky to have the highest density of loggerhead sea turtles nesting on Florida’s west coast. A female loggerhead turtle uses her back flippers to dig a hole in the sand and deposits about 100 rubbery eggs, each about the size of a ping pong ball. The turtle disguises the nest by covering it with sand. Once she leaves the nest, she never returns.
After incubating for about 55 days, the hatchlings break out of their shells and wait until the sand temperature cools, so most come out of the nest after dark. Coming out of the nest at night protects them from predators and dehydration, and they use the moonlight to navigate their way out to the gulf waters. Because hatchlings head for light, they are easily disoriented and can head the wrong way, away from water and toward an unhappy ending. Only about 1 out of every 1,000 hatchlings survives to reach adulthood.
The turtles are only about 2-3 inches long and their eyes are about one inch off of the ground, so the world is seen much differently by hatchlings. The turtles scramble to the water where they will live for many years in seaweed beds drifting along the Gulf Stream. As the turtles grow older they can weigh up to 250 lbs. and grow up to 3 feet long. They move into coastal waters where they eat jellyfish, sponges, crabs, seagrass and seaweed. Sea turtles breathe air, but can hold their breath for 2 hours when at rest underwater.
What you can do to help during turtle nesting season:
•If you encounter a nesting turtle, remain quiet and observe from a distance.
•Fill in holes that may trap hatchlings.
•Throw trash away in proper place.
•Don’t approach turtles, hatchlings or make noise.
•Don’t use flashlights.
•Don’t touch sea turtles or hatchlings.
Please respect marked sea turtle nests.
These are marked with 4 tall wooden sticks and thin colored plastic tape which connects all four wooden sticks. There will be a sign attached with an approximate date of egg laying.
Sea Turtle Nest Sign on Lido Key
It is against the law to touch or disturb nesting sea turtles, hatchlings, or their nests. Sea turtles are protected by both the Federal Endangered Species Act and the Florida Marine Protection Act.
If you see hatch-lings in danger or heading away from the sea, contact Mote Marine Laboratory’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program: 941-388-4331.
If you would like to come and visit during this incredible time of the year and hope to catch a glimpse of baby turtles making their trek to the Gulf of Mexico, give us a call and make your reservation today! You can reach one of our local, knowledgeable staff direct at the resort front office at 941-388-2151 or book online at www.suntideislandbeachclub.com.