When do sea turtle hatchlings emerge?
Baby sea turtles (hatchlings) can emerge as soon as 45 days after the eggs are deposited in a nest. The incubation period might reach 95 days, however, depending on incubation temperature. The nest is monitored closely for hatching activity from Day 45 until evidence of hatchling emergence is found. Hatchlings emerge from the sand and find their way to the sea using the reflection of the moonlight on the ocean to guide them to the water. For this reason, in heavily developed coastal areas with many lights, confused hatchlings often fail to make it to sea because they mistakenly follow lights from inland houses, buildings, and cars. These confused hatchlings are much more vulnerable to predation as well as heat-related mortality. Are the Park’s conservation efforts working? Sea turtle conservation efforts (nest monitoring and habitat restoration) in Biscayne National Park have been occurring since 1984, and each year, the program is improved. For example, the self-releasing screens are
