Turtle Time, Inc. has developed a new, online,
multimedia presentation on sea turtle biology and conservation.

Click here to view it!

This project was made possible through a grant from the West Coast Inland Navigation District.


To follow "Eve’s" progress,CLICK HERE.

"Eve" at her release in August.

A Special Wonder

Each summer from May through August, something wondrous happens along our beaches: An ancient mariner, the loggerhead sea turtle, leaves the water during the night and crawls ashore to lay her eggs in a sandy nest.

The task of excavating a nest may take her over an hour to accomplish. The turtle - weighing several hundred pounds - laboriously digs a nest cavity with her rear flippers.

She then deposits approximately 100 pliable ping-pong ball sized eggs into the chamber, covers them with sand and returns to the sea.

After roughly a two-month incubation period, a cluster of tiny hatchlings emerges from the sand and scrambles to the Gulf. Unfortunately, their sea-finding ability can be disrupted by lights from buildings and streets. Confused, the hatchlings wander inland and are crushed by vehicles or die from heat exhaustion in the sunlight.

A Danger of Extinction

Most adult loggerhead turtles nest every other year or every third year, laying several clutches of eggs during a nesting season. Only a small percentage of hatchlings survive to maturity! Loggerhead turtles have existed on Earth for millions of years with little serious threat to their survival - until recently. Pollution, lighted beaches, loss of nesting habitat, drowning in shrimp nets and other fishing gear have contributed to the drastic decline of these and other sea turtles.

Turtle Time, Inc.

Turtle Time, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the continued survival of loggerhead sea turtles.

Established in 1989, the group is the Florida state-permitted monitoring organization for sea turtle activity from Fort Myers Beach to the Lee-Collier County line. Daily patrols during the nesting season are conducted to gather important scientific data about population estimates, distribution of nests, nesting patterns and hatching success rates. Dead or injured sea turtles are examined and dealt with as necessary. The information is transmitted to a national sea turtle stranding network.

Loggerhead Turtle Facts

	Loggerheads are air-breathing reptiles, scientific name Caretta caretta.
	The common name refers to the turtle’s large head.
	Loggerheads are the most common sea turtles in Florida.
	Their food consists of mollusks, crabs and animals that encrust reefs and rocks.
	They have been on Earth for millions of years with little serious threat to the species - until recently.
	Weighing 250 - 400 pounds, adults can grow to more than three feet in length.
	Hatchlings are two inches long.
	Nesting occurs from May through August. Hatching may extend through October.
	The nest cavity is 18 - 22 inches in depth.
	Incubation period of the eggs in their sandy nest is 55 - 65 days.

The Time is Now

Turtle Time, Inc. believes it is possible for humans to share the beaches and oceans with sea turtles. Their fate depends on all of us. Residents and visitors alike must share the responsibility for making our beaches turtle-friendly!

Here are some basic rules for turtle-friendly behavior:

	Shut off or shield lights that are visible from the beach. Close drapes or blinds after dark. Use 25 watt yellow-bug lights where exterior lighting is necessary. Avoid using flashlights or fishing lanterns on the beach. Fires are not permitted. Lee County has a Sea Turtle Conservation Code which is enforced. For information regarding lighting, or to report a lighting violation, please call Lee County Division of Environmental Sciences (239) 533-8353.
	Remove beach litter. Balloons, plastic bags, foam and other non-degradable pollutants cause the deaths of many sea turtles who mistake them for food.
	Quietly observe a nesting turtle from a distance. Do not shine any lights on or around her -- she may abandon her effort to nest. No flash photography. Stay behind the turtle so that she cannot see you.
	Do not harass a turtle by touching her or prodding her to move. Stay out of the way as she crawls back to the water.
	Stack or remove beach furniture.
	Keep pets on a leash, away from sea turtles and their nests.
	Leave sea turtle nest identitication markers in place on the beach.
	Leave nest sites undisturbed. If you find a hatchling wandering in daylight, place it on moist sand in a dry container, shade it and call Turtle Time, Inc. immediately: 239-481-5566.
	To report dead or injured sea turtles, or, if you have accidentally hooked a sea turtle that is small enough to rescue, contact: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 1-888-404-FWCC, or call Turtle Time, Inc. 239-481-5566 immediately.

Show Your Support

Turtle Time, Inc. appreciates any support you may wish to give. More than anything, we ask you to respect the simple rules for turtle-friendly behavior on our beaches. To obtain further information or to find out how you can contribute to the organization, please write or call:
Turtle Time, Inc., P.O. Box 2621, Fort Myers Beach, Florida 33932 (239) 481-5566

	If you have questions about Turtle Time, you can email Eve Haverfield, Turtle Time's Founder and Director.
To translate this page into French, German, Italian, Portuguese or Spanish click here. Many thanks to Dr. David C. Brown of Eye Centers of Florida for being a friend to turtles. Copyright © 1996 - 2008 Turtle Time, Inc.. All rights reserved.