Page 6 - Boca Exposure - July '24

Page 6, Boca Exposure
FAU Sea Turtle Experts Provide ‘Best Practices’

During Nesting Season

Sea turtle nesting season, which typically takes place • Which of these species are considered threatened • If I encounter a hatchling that is struggling to get
between March and October, is a busy time for biologists, or endangered? out of the nest, should I help it?
wildlife management and others as they eagerly await All five of these species are protected species. The loggerhead Do not touch or help the hatchling. It is against state
signs of turtle movement in the sand. However, for many and green turtles are listed as threatened and leatherback, and federal law to remove the hatchling from its natural
vulnerable and endangered sea turtle species, survival hawksbill and Kemp’s ridley are listed as endangered. environment. Turtle hatchlings all dig out of their nest,
is an uphill battle. Loss of nesting habitat, high-traffic • What should I do if I see a nest with eggs in it? usually at night, and head directly for the sea.
areas, rising temperatures and artificial lights are among Sea turtle nests are protected by state and federal laws. Do • Who should I contact if I see an injured or
the many factors working against them. not touch a nest on the beach. You may contact the nearest stranded sea turtle or hatchling?
Three internationally renowned Florida Atlantic local nature center such as Gumbo Limbo Nature Center or Call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
University researchers provide “best practices” and answer the Loggerhead Marinelife Center for additional information. Commission Division of Law Enforcement at 1 (888)
some of the most frequently asked questions to help protect • What should I do if I see a sea turtle laying eggs 404-FWCC or *FWC from your cell phone.
Florida’s nesting sea turtles and their hatchlings. or nesting? • How many eggs do sea turtles lay?
Keep your distance, do not touch her, and remain quiet. During nesting season, sea turtles usually lay between
Do not approach her and do not use any lights. You do
not want to startle her and interrupt this process. FAU Sea Turtle Experts on page 7

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A newly hatched sea turtle is belly-up as it tries to get out of its Experience The Difference
nest on a beach in Palm Beach County in Southeast Florida.
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Sarah L. Milton, Ph.D., chair and professor, Complete wallpaper and fabric library for all your design needs.
Department of Biological Sciences, FAU Charles E.
Schmidt College of Science: Milton’s research interests
are focused on environmental physiology, investigating
the effects of environmental stressors on animal
physiology and adaptive mechanisms of survival. Her
research related to sea turtle physiology and conservation
includes a variety of projects ranging from the energetics
of hatchling disorientation, the impacts of climate change
on turtles such as nest success, hatchling physiology,
erosion and flooding, to developing therapeutic treatments
for sea turtles exposed to toxic red tides.
Jeanette Wyneken, Ph.D., professor, FAU Department Call us to sell. See us to buy.
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Annie Page, DVM, Ph.D., associate research
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Oceanographic Institute: Page’s research interests
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Frequently Asked Questions:
• What species of sea turtles can we expect to see BAR AND DINING
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There are five species of sea turtles in Florida waters:
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