The Nesting Season for Sea Turtles is Different for Each Species
Loggerhead:
• While the majority of Loggerhead nesting occurs on the East Coast, 100% of nests that occur on Pinellas County beaches are from Loggerheads
• The duration of the nesting season is from May-October. The female nests every 2-3 years, and can lay up to 7 clutches in a season
• Alternating limb movement is a characteristic of Loggerhead tracks. They leave no tail-drag mark, and their track width is approximately 25”
• The main nesting sites for the Loggerhead are Florida, Oman (in the Indian Ocean), and Costa Rica.
Leatherback:
• Nesting occurs on the East Coast of Florida, and the duration of the nesting season is from April-July. The female nests every 2-3 years, and lays between 6-9 clutches in a season
• Leatherbacks will lay clutches of approximately 80 fertilized eggs, and cover them with approximately 30 unfertilized eggs to serve as protection from predators, and to also aid in temperature regulation
• Simultaneous limb movement is a characteristic of Leatherback tracks. They leave a center drag mark from their tail, and their track width is around 45”
• The main nesting sites for the Leatherback are Florida, Costa Rica, and Brazil
Green:
• Nesting is concentrated along the Southeast Coast of Florida, and the duration of the nesting is from June-September. The female nests every 2-3 years, and lays between 3-5 clutches in a season
• Greens will lay clutches that contain approximately 128 eggs
• Simultaneous limb movement is a characteristic of Green turtle tracks. They leave a center drag mark from their tail, and their track width is around 35”
• The main nesting sites for the Green are Florida, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.
