Page 7 - Boca Exposure - July '24

Boca Exposure, Page 7

FAU Sea Turtle Experts from page 6 on Hutchinson Island and at the Archie Carr National tarpon, mahi mahi, sharks and even marine mammals, are
Wildlife Refuge along the Atlantic coast. threats at sea.
four and 10 clutches, with each clutch containing between • What do sea turtles eat? • How is the sex of sea turtles determined?
70 and 140 eggs, depending on the species. Sea turtles do not feed on land. Their diets depend The sex of sea turtles is determined by the temperature
• How long does it take for an egg to hatch? on the species and the life stage. Hatchlings tend to at which the eggs incubate. This process is referred to
The incubation period for sea turtle eggs depends feed on very small, slow-moving marine animals when as “temperature-dependent sex determination.” Higher
upon the local incubation temperatures, such that cooler on the high seas. When sea turtles return years later to temperatures result in more female hatchlings and lower
temperatures can lead to incubation of more than two coastal waters, their diets differ. For example, green temperatures result in more male hatchlings.
months. During warmer periods, nests can hatch in as turtles have a vegetarian diet and prefer sea grass and • Are our Florida sea turtles healthy?
little as 45 days. algae. Leatherbacks feed primarily on jelly animals like The health of Florida sea turtles can vary depending
• How many hatchlings actually survive and make jellyfish and salps, while loggerheads and Kemp’s ridleys on various factors such as habitat conditions, pollution
it into the ocean? prefer hard-shelled organisms such as crabs, lobsters levels, climate change impacts, and human activities. In
On average, about one in 1,000 sea turtle hatchlings and mollusks, such as whelks. Hawksbills feed on algae, general, a sea turtle that is able to reproduce is healthy.
survive to adulthood. The others serve a different sponges and tunicates on their reefs. However, all species When just one in 1,000 hatchlings reach adulthood, many
ecological role and often become prey for many other are known to be attracted to fishing baits, a behavior that individuals are lost to misadventure, but also exposure to
organisms. puts the sea turtles at risk. both acute, as well as chronic, challenges to their health
• How long does it take sea turtle hatchlings to crawl • If I want to take pictures at night of nesting sea can occur.
into the sea? turtles, can I do that using a red flashlight? • What are some of the most common diseases we
Typically, sea turtle hatchlings take about 10 to 30 Do not photograph or video a nesting sea turtle at are seeing in Florida sea turtles?
minutes to make their way from the nest to the sea. night and do not use any lights including a red flashlight. In Florida, sea turtles face various health challenges
However, this timing varies and depends on factors such Special permits are required to photograph or film nesting such as fibropapillomatosis, a viral disease that causes
as the distance from the nest to the water, if obstacles sea turtles. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation the growth of tumors on the skin, eyes and internal
occur in their path and if artificial lighting is present that Commission is the authority that issues permits for organs. This condition is particularly prevalent in green
might attract them away from the water, as well as other activities involving marine turtles in Florida, including sea turtles. Sea turtles also are impacted by debilitating
environmental conditions. photography. internal parasites as well as external parasites like
• Does this extreme heat we are experiencing impact • How does a hatchling know where to go when it barnacles and leeches that can attach to a sea turtle’s shell,
sea turtle nests and hatchlings? emerges from its nest? skin or flippers, potentially impacting their ability to swim
Yes. Extreme heat can have detrimental effects Sea turtle hatchlings possess remarkable instincts that and feed. In addition, ingestion of marine debris such as
on sea turtle nests and hatchlings, impacting their guide them toward the sea once they emerge from their plastics and other jetsam mistaken for food can lead to
reproductive success and survival. Fewer eggs hatch at nest. Hatchlings crawl away from tall dark horizons (these blockages, internal injuries, toxic effects and malnutrition.
high temperatures, and hatchlings are less physically are typically landward) and toward more open, somewhat • What can I do to help protect Florida’s sea turtles?
adept and may have developmental deformities. High brighter horizons, which are usually seaward. There is a combination of actions you can take
temperatures also can skew the sex ratio of hatchlings, • Why do we have to turn off our lights at night to protect Florida’s sea turtles and support broader
highly female biased sex ratios and imbalance in the along the coast during nesting season? conservation efforts. These include educating yourself
population and can cause nest failure by overheating the Adult females avoid lighted beaches for nesting and and your networks about reducing light pollution,
eggs. emerging hatchlings often become disoriented by lighting participating in beach cleanup efforts, respecting nesting
• Where and when can I safely experience sea turtle on the beach. Artificial light causes abnormal behavior areas, reefs and feeding areas, minimizing the use of
nesting season in Southeast Florida? such that hatchlings are misdirected as they try to reach single-use plastics, reducing your carbon footprint to
Nesting season in Southeast Florida typically occurs the ocean (just like moths that get attracted to lights at help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, properly disposing
from March through October, with peak activity between night). Lights need to stay off at night so sea turtles can of fishing gear, supporting conservation organizations
May and July. There are many places that offer guided safely use the beach. and advocating for effective policy changes. By taking
“turtle walks” so people can safely experience nesting • Do other animals eat sea turtles? these steps, you can contribute to the conservation of
at protected wildlife refuges and sanctuaries such as Sea turtle eggs, hatchlings and older turtles are subject Florida’s sea turtles and help ensure their survival for
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton, Loggerhead to many threats both on land and at sea. Common land future generations.
Marinelife Center in Juno Beach, John D. MacArthur predators include crabs, large lizards, birds, coyotes, foxes
Beach State Park on Singer Island, several organizations and raccoons on land. Carnivorous fish such as snapper, Photo by Jay Paredes, Florida Atlantic University

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