Now that it's summer, the Emerald Coast will have a lot of new visitors- and not all of them are human! Sea turtle season has officially begun, so people traveling throughout the region should be on the lookout for these amazing animals!
Each year during May through October, sea turtles make their way to the beaches to lay eggs. The turtles that show up on the Emerald Coast tend to be loggerheads, leatherbacks, greens, or Kemp’s Ridleys. Leatherbacks- which are enormous sea turtles that range in size from 500 to 1500 pounds- are usually the first to show up for nesting, so at the moment, they are most likely to be spotted.
Visitors have a chance at witnessing nesting in person. If you are on the beach during the night and you see a turtle, let it be. If you approach the turtle or flash any lights, it might run away. Once the turtle has begun to nest, visitors can get a little bit closer and watch.
Photo from https://www.facebook.com/cityofdestin/
Already existing nests are marked with orange flags and stakes. Remember that sea turtles are federally and locally protected, so you cannot meddle with them or their nests. Penalties for messing with a nest start at $100 an egg (a typical turtle can lay 80-150 eggs, so... well, you can do the math!), and harassing a turtle could land you in jail!
For more information of sea turtles on the Emerald Coast, check out the Emerald Coast Turtle Watch's official facebook page!
