How do artificial light sources effect hatchlings?
Hatchlings that crawl toward artificial light sources follow the same instinctive response that leads them seaward on naturally lighted beaches. It is the glaring light of artificial sources that leads hatchlings astray. At night, artificial light sources appear bright and glaring because they are close by, producing light that appears intense but is not bright enough to illuminate the ocean. As a result, light from an artificial source appears many times brighter than light from any other direction, including the ocean. Natural light sources like the sun and moon are extremely bright, but are also quite distant. Their light brightens the sky, ocean and dune, allowing hatchlings to correctly assess the visual cues that lead them to the sea.
