SeaTurtle Nesting Season
Calendar Date:
IT'S SEA TURTLE NESTING SEASON !
Sea turtle nesting season officially began May 1st; however, the first nest was laid on one of the City of Naples beaches on April 22nd. Nesting will continue through August. Hatching of the nests begin in June and continue through late October.
We need your help to keep the beach dark and safe to ensure sea turtles have a safe and successful nesting season:
DO NOT USE flashlights, flash photography, and lanterns on the beach (including CELL PHONE flashlights)
Close blinds and drapes in beachfront rooms after sunset
Turn off all unnecessary lights (i.e. landscape, decorative, and accent lights)
Keep lights low, shielded, and use long wavelength lamps (amber LEDs)
Move light sources away from windows
Take back what you bring: chairs, umbrellas, coolers, trash, etc.
Fill in holes made on the beach
Do not trim beach vegetation
Remove beach chairs and other beach furniture off the beach after sunset.
If you see a turtle crawling out of the ocean or digging a nest, stay at a distance. Running up to her, walking in front of her, shining a light or making a noise can cause her to abandon her nesting.
Never stop a turtle that is returning to the water. It is hard work for a turtle to maneuver its heavy weight on land so she needs all her energy to return to the water without disturbance.
Leave the nests, eggs and hatchlings untouched. Eggs that have been uncovered or moved probably will not hatch. Preventing a hatchling from reaching the sea can weaken it and lessen its chances of survival.
Female sea turtle and hatchlings find the water by going toward the light reflected off of the Gulf of Mexico. In the presence of brighter artificial light such as street lights, parking lot lights, balcony/porch lights, exterior and landscape lights, and interior resident lights the turtles become disoriented and crawl away from the Gulf and towards the dangerous areas such as parking lots and nearby roadways. These lights are responsible for the deaths of many sea turtles each year. Sea turtles are protected by law. Please do not touch, approach, or disturb a sea turtle and nests. If you find a dead sea turtle, notify the Natural Resources Division at (239) 213-7119.
