Each year sea turtles return to our beaches to nest. After returning to the coast where they were born, the female sea turtles make their way onto the beach and dig a hole to lay their eggs. The two types of sea turtles that nest on the Alabama coast are the loggerhead, which can grow to 200 pounds and an average length of three feet, and the Kemp’s ridley that can grow to two feet and weigh 100 pounds. In 2019, a rare green sea turtle also nested in Orange Beach!
Since the establishment of the Leave Only Footprints program, both of their numbers continue to grow – but there are still reasons for concern. Loss of habitats due to coastal development, nest predation, marine pollution and artificial lighting creates issues for new nests and their hatchlings.
According to the Alabama Sea Turtles Nesting Conservation, female sea turtles make arrive on the beaches of the Alabama Gulf Coast to lay their eggs in May of each year. The average of 110 eggs per nest complete their incubation period in 50 to 70 days. That’s a lot of eggs and therefore a lot of baby sea turtles!
Once hatched, the majority of these little creatures will emerge from their sandy nests at night. The reflection of moonlight on the waters acts as a guide to the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. So as not to confuse them, it’s important to limit all artificial light on or near the beach from May until October.
Once the sea turtles make it into the water, they will have to negotiate a rather hostile environment, as their numerous predators include birds, sharks, dolphins and other carnivorous fish.
For the babies that do make it through all the challenges of their early life, loggerheads may live an astonishing 47-67 years, or 50 years for the Kemp’s ridley turtles!
If you are on the beach and see a new nest or any turtle emergency, please contact Alabama Sea Turtles Nesting Conservation at 866-Sea-Turtle.