The Loggerhead sea turtle is the state reptile of South Carolina and the most common sea turtle nester along our shores. They are easily recognizable by the large size of their heads relative to their bodies and their brownish or yellow skin.
Facts about Sea Turtles
- Adults have top shells that measure from 30 to 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.
Sea Turtle Nesting Season
- Females usually begin to nest the first or second week in May.
- The nesting season usually ends by the end of August.
- Females usually emerge to nest at night and lay an average of 120 eggs per nest.
- They locate an appropriate nest site by assessing the sand’s temperature and moisture.
- The female uses her rear flippers alternately to excavate a nest; when egg-laying is complete, she covers the nest cavity, compacts the sand with her body weight, and throws sand around with her front flippers.
- She then returns to the sea.
During nesting season, volunteer groups conduct daily surveys to monitor, record, and study all sea turtle nesting activity along the Town’s beach.
- All nests are marked with stakes, flagging tape, and a sign to keep the area protected and ensure the eggs are safe during the incubation period.
What happens after the nest is laid?
- The eggs incubate for 50-60 days, during which the sex of the embryos is determined by the nest temperature; warmer temperatures produce females, cooler temperatures produce males.
- As the young begin to hatch, they cooperate in digging towards the surface and emerge when the sand temperatures cool and daylight fades.
- They navigate to the ocean by following the downward slope of the beach and skylight reflected off the ocean’s surface.
- Landward lights that are brighter than this natural light disorient the hatchlings and cause them to move inland, where they often die from dehydration and exhaustion, drown in pools, are hit by cars, or are taken by predators.
