SEA TURTLE LIFE CYCLE – Hatchlings

After emerging from the nest, they begin crawling towards the brightest horizon. In a natural setting, the night sky, moon, and stars reflect off the water, making it the brightest horizon. However, in today’s world, especially in large coastal cities, the artificial lighting from residential houses and condominiums, as well as commercial establishments, such as hotels and restaurants, are the brightest horizon. Unfortunately, this causes the sea turtle hatchlings (adults as well) to disorient towards the properties, rather than crawling in a straight shot towards the ocean.

In areas with coastal lighting and high disorientation rates, we place restraining cages over the nests. It is monitored every day, with the seaward door being opened at dawn and closed at dusk. Throughout the night, the cage will be checked for any hatchlings that may have emerged. This cage collects the hatchlings so they do not disorient towards the artificial lights into streets, storms drains, or other dangerous areas. If our authorized personnel come across hatchlings inside the cage, they will remove the hatchlings and conduct a controlled release.

If you find any hatchlings in Broward County headed away from the sea, on the road, or in a restraining cage, please call the Sea Turtle Emergency line (954-328-0580).

HATCHLING FACTS

Weigh anywhere from ½ an ounce to 1 ½ ounces when they hatch depending on species (loggerhead and leatherback, respectively
1 out of 1,000 hatchlings will make it to adulthood
Are more sensitive to artificial lighting than the adults

Once in the water, the hatchlings will swim for 24-48 hours straight, until, around here in Broward County, they hit the Gulf Stream. They will then spend the next several years out in the open ocean, using floating mats of seaweed, such as sargassum, out in the Sargasso Sea for shelter and finding food. This period has long been referred to as “The Lost Years”, as we did not really know where they went during that time.