What is threatening the sea turtles on land?
• Beachfront lighting can disturb the adult female and often disorients emerging hatchlings that instinctually follow the light of the moon towards the ocean. • Coastal armoring (seawalls, bulkheads, and revetments) alters the beach and blocks the female from laying her eggs. • Coastal construction changes the beach surface, increases light and noise in the area, and can lead to more pollution. • Beach modification (renourishment) changes the type of sand, which can change the temperature, texture, and firmness. A nesting female may decide not to lay her eggs on this sand because it is too hard or too soft. Hatchling sex ratios may change because the new sand heats up more than the old sand. • Storm erosion is a natural problem. If a beach loses sand due to a large storm, the female may be deterred by the small size of the beach. • Dogs, raccoons, birds and people in some places eat sea turtle eggs or hatchlings.
