rback, hawksbill, and Kemp?s ridley turtle as endangered and the loggerhead is listed as threatened. This makes it illegal to harm, harass, or kill any sea turtle, their eggs, or hatchlings. It is also illegal to import, sell, or transport turtles or their products.
� How many species of sea turtles are there in Florida?
Five species of sea turtles can be found in Florida:
- Hawksbill Turtle
- Kemp's ridley
- Loggerhead Turtle
- Leatherback Turtle
- Green Turtle
� How much do sea turtles weigh?
Sea turtles range in size from the 75 to 100 pound Kemp's ridley to the 1,300 pound, 8 foot long leatherback.
� What can I do to help protect Florida's sea turtles?
- Organize or join a beach clean up day. Check with organizations or schools in your area to become involved in cleaning the beaches of trash that could be harmful to wildlife.
- Do not leave fishing line behind. This entangles many types of wildlife including sea turtles.
- Do not feed sea turtles or other wildlife. This encourages them to approach people in traffic areas.
- Never buy products made from sea turtles.
- Reduce the amount of plastic garbage you produce.
- Turn off the lights! Keep beach front lights off throughout the night from May to October as they can confuse sea turtles during the nesting season. Suggested alternatives to decrease artificial lighting include use of motion sensors for safety, dark window tinting and curtains to cover inside light, and yellow incandescent light bulbs (bug lights). Studies have also shown that light from low-pressure sodium vapor sources don't affect turtles as much as high-pressure sodium lights. Avoid fluorescent, mercury vapor, metal halide and white incandescent lighting.
- Oppose coastal armoring. The fewer obstacles sea turtle have to overcome, the better their chances of successful nesting.
- Reduce the amount of fertilizers you use. Ordinary lawn and garden fertilizers wash into coastal waters killing plants and animals. Look for biodegradable alternatives, and correctly dispose of used toxic chemicals.
- Adopt a turtle. Join and support the Sea Turtle Survival League by calling 1-800-678-7853 or writing to 4424 N.W. 13th St. Suite A-1, Gainesville, FL 32609.
- Buy a License Plate. The next time you renew your automobile registration at your local tax collector's office, request a specialty sea turtle plate. The extra dollars go toward protection, research, and recovery programs at the Marine Resources Conservation Fund in the Florida fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
� What do the hatchlings do after they leave their nests?
After the two-month incubation period, the turtle hatchlings all dig out of their nest at the same time, a process that can take several days. As a group, they then leave their nest at night and head directly for the sea. This first trek imprints their home beach into the hatchling. Once grown, the turtles will return to lay their nests on the same beach.
� What is a hatchlings chance of survival?
Only about one in 1,000 turtles survive to adult hood. Hatchlings die of dehydration if they don't make it to the ocean fast enough. Birds, crabs, and other animals also prey on the young.
� What should I do if I find hatchlings wandering in a road, parking lot, or in directions other than toward the water?
Call the Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch at 583-1913.
� What should I do if I find sea turtle hatchlings emerging on the beach?
- Watch from a distance.
- Allow them to crawl to the water on their own.
- Leave them in their nest.
- Keep all lights off.
� What should I do if I see a sea turtle nesting?
- Stay behind her at a distance and remain quiet.
- Don't use any lights, including flashlights, flash photography, and video equipment.
- Don't put your hands on or near the turtle. Any distractions may frighten and disorient the turtle causing her to return to the ocean before completely covering and camouflaging.
- Do not disturb the nest site or the turtle tracks.
� What threatens sea turtle survival?
- Natural Predation - Many predators such as crabs, ants, raccoons, and birds target 