Loggerheads Sea Turtles on Hilton Head Island are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act and are protected by federal and state laws. Believe it or not, people have been found and arrested with a bucket of baby turtles in their hotel room. Please respect nature by not interfering with it and observing from a distance.
Adult loggerhead sea turtles have top shells that measure from 30-42 inches in length and usually weigh up to 400 pounds. Males are larger than females and are not known to come ashore once they leave their beach of birth.
Females usually begin to nest in the first or second week in May. The nesting season usually ends by the end of August. During nesting season, surveys are conducted daily by volunteer groups to monitor, record, and study all sea turtle nesting activity along the Town’s beach. All nests are marked off with stakes, flagging tape, and a sign to keep the area protected so the eggs are safe during the incubation period.
The loggerhead turtle nesting population in the southeastern United States is continuing to decline and it has been recommended that this species be reclassified from threatened to endangered. If a sea turtle hatchling is disoriented by artificial light, the maximum federal fine for harming a threatened species is $25,000. County and local lighting ordinances exist to protect sea turtles.
If you find a dead, sick, or injured sea turtle, please call SCDNR’s 24-hour 1-800-922-5431 – If the turtle is alive, please be prepared to stay with it until help arrives.
