Returning Home
From May to October each year, Fripp Island experiences a wonder of nature. It is during this time that the loggerhead sea turtles return to nest. Each year dozens of adult females come ashore, on various stretches of beach, to lay a clutch of 100 or more eggs. Many of these females were born on the island only to return some 20 to 30 years later to nest.
Each female will nest and lay eggs 3-5 times each season, digging an egg chamber near dunes away from rising tides. After laying her eggs, the turtle will return to the ocean before returning 12 to 14 days later to build another nesting spot. After the final nesting, turtles return to the ocean and will repeat the cycle every 2-4 years.
Hatchlings
A sea turtle egg will incubate in about 60 days. This varies a bit with temperature, with warmer conditions leading to faster development of the embryos. Interestingly, cooler sand has a tendency to produce more males, while warmer sand produces more females. Once an embryos has fully developed, the hatchlings break out of their shell using “a temporary, sharp egg-tooth, called a ‘caruncle.’ The caruncle is an extension of the upper jaw that falls off soon after birth.” (conserveturtles.org) Now out of their shells, the little hatchlings somehow know to emerge from the sand. Usually emerging at night when the temperature is milder, they dig their way up through about 18” of sand. As a group, the newborns paddle their way to the top before beginning their journey across the sand. This process of emerging can take several days.
Heading to Sea
The journey to the sea is no small task for these little creatures. They must move quickly so as not to get dehydrated or become prey to birds or crabs. As mentioned earlier, many sea turtles return to the beach where they were born. Some scientists believe this is due to a turtle’s ability to read the earth’s magnetic field, while others believe the hatchlings takes an imprint of their birth beach, smell, sound, even celestial cues, while making the trek from nest to water. All pretty amazing, nonetheless.
What to Know
Here on Fripp Island, we are blessed to be a key location for loggerhead nesting along the east coast of the US. With that, it is our responsibility to be good stewards of their habitat and respect their space. To that effort we have the Fripp Island Loggerhead Patrol, made up of volunteers, which monitors and marks nests along the beaches each day throughout the season.
See their photo albums and logs:
Thank you, Fripp Island Loggerhead Patrol! We really appreciate all of your hard work.
Follow FILP on Facebook!
If you are fortunate and see an adult female nesting, or traveling to or from the ocean, it is very important to maintain a 20’ distance and be sure to stay clear of her path. Also, do not use flashlights while walking on the beach. If you encounter the hatchlings rising from the sand, or making their way to the water, do not get near and, again, do not use any lighting. Hatchlings rely on the moon over the water to guide their way and can get easily turned around if another light source is nearby.
If you see a hatchling moving away from the ocean, DO NOT pick it up, as it is against federal law to touch a sea turtle without the proper permit. If you see a hatchling and are worried about the direction in which it is moving, please call Fripp Island Security or the Activity Center at (843)-838-1516. (Source: Fripp Island Resort)
The wonders of Fripp island are abundant and the seasonal nesting of loggerhead sea turtles is no exception. Enjoy from a distance and share in the amazing process that has been going on for more than 100 million years!
Spa day for Henry! Part of the daily care for our rescued sea turtles involves scrubbing the algae from their shells, head and flippers.
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The turtles here live in natural sea water lagoons and therefore require a lot of scrubbing to remove algae build up.
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Out in the wild, small fish typically follow sea turtles around, eating the algae off of their shells and keeping them clean.
✍🏽📹 jackkellyart
To learn more about ocean and marine wildlife conservation, check out oneoceanconservation
#seaturtle #ocean #animals #turtle #rescueanimals #rescue #loggerhead #loggerheadturtle #greenturtle #marinebiology #marinelife #oceananimals #ocean #turtle #seaturtle #seaturtles #oceanart #conservation #rescue #rescueturtle #animals #oceanartist #animalrescue #greenseaturtle #hawksbill #sharkid_alyssa
Spa day for Henry! Part of the daily care for our rescued sea turtles involves scrubbing the algae from their shells, head and flippers.
•
The turtles here live in natural sea water lagoons and therefore require a lot of scrubbing to remove algae build up.
•
Out in the wild, small fish typically follow sea turtles around, eating the algae off of their shells and keeping them clean.
✍🏽📹 jackkellyart
To learn more about ocean and marine wildlife conservation, check out oneoceanconservation
#seaturtle #ocean #animals #turtle #rescueanimals #rescue #loggerhead #loggerheadturtle #greenturtle #marinebiology #marinelife #oceananimals #ocean #turtle #seaturtle #seaturtles #oceanart #conservation #rescue #rescueturtle #animals #oceanartist #animalrescue #greenseaturtle #hawksbill #sharkid_alyssa
Nesting season has begun! One way you can help? Fill in all the holes you dig on the beach. If baby turtles fall into these holes on the way to the ocean, they won’t be able to get out.
🐢
#loggerhead #loggerheadturtles #loggerheadturtle #turtle #turtles #seaturtle #hiltonhead #southcarolina #ocean #sealife
Nesting season has begun! One way you can help? Fill in all the holes you dig on the beach. If baby turtles fall into these holes on the way to the ocean, they won’t be able to get out.
🐢
#loggerhead #loggerheadturtles #loggerheadturtle #turtle #turtles #seaturtle #hiltonhead #southcarolina #ocean #sealife
Loggerhead Sea Turtles are such amazing animals. They can weigh in at a whopping 375lbs eating mostly shellfish. (They like the finer things in life 💅🏼).
#seaturtlesofinstagram #loggerheadturtle #wildlifeconservation #oceanconversation #wildlifeartist #artistsoninstagram #orgen
Loggerhead Sea Turtles are such amazing animals. They can weigh in at a whopping 375lbs eating mostly shellfish. (They like the finer things in life 💅🏼).
#seaturtlesofinstagram #loggerheadturtle #wildlifeconservation #oceanconversation #wildlifeartist #artistsoninstagram #orgen
Meet Terra!
Our first turtle to Robyn’s Place, Terra was found with fishhooks in her esophagus and flipper. The young green sea turtle was carefully treated by our incredible team and is now spending some necessary time being monitored as she recovers.
We are so happy to have found her in time and are thankful for the hard work and dedication of our team jumping in to welcome our first patient.
Check back for more updates!
#seaturtlerehab #loggerheadturtle #seaturtlerescue #robynsplace #bocaratonflorida #floridaturtle
Meet Terra!
Our first turtle to Robyn’s Place, Terra was found with fishhooks in her esophagus and flipper. The young green sea turtle was carefully treated by our incredible team and is now spending some necessary time being monitored as she recovers.
We are so happy to have found her in time and are thankful for the hard work and dedication of our team jumping in to welcome our first patient.
Check back for more updates!
#seaturtlerehab #loggerheadturtle #seaturtlerescue #robynsplace #bocaratonflorida #floridaturtle
I’m so excited because today starts sea turtle season in the Murrells Inlet, SC area and I wanted to remind you of a few things
Sea turtle season runs from May 1 through October 31.
Female sea turtles come on the beach at night to lay their nest. They are guided by the moon. That’s why it is important to keep lights that face the ocean off at night.
Sea turtles, nests and the hatchlings are federally protected. Disturbing the nest or the turtles could result in jail time or a large fine.
One turtle nest has already been laid this week in Garden City Beach! The nest has 114 loggerhead eggs.
Let me know what questions you have about sea turtle season.
☀️ Kathy Rukat Smith, Palmetto Coastal Homes
#murrellsinlet #gardencitybeach #seaturtle #loggerheadturtle
I’m so excited because today starts sea turtle season in the Murrells Inlet, SC area and I wanted to remind you of a few things
Sea turtle season runs from May 1 through October 31.
Female sea turtles come on the beach at night to lay their nest. They are guided by the moon. That’s why it is important to keep lights that face the ocean off at night.
Sea turtles, nests and the hatchlings are federally protected. Disturbing the nest or the turtles could result in jail time or a large fine.
One turtle nest has already been laid this week in Garden City Beach! The nest has 114 loggerhead eggs.
Let me know what questions you have about sea turtle season.
☀️ Kathy Rukat Smith, Palmetto Coastal Homes
#murrellsinlet #gardencitybeach #seaturtle #loggerheadturtle
Education is conservation!! 📚 🐢
Here at Cairns Turtle rehabilitation Center we work very hard to aid and recover our sick and injured patients but we also are on the front line delivering educational tours for guest and school groups!
Understanding the current threats that these animals face and learning of the ecological importance that Sea Turtles have within the environment is key to their conservation!
We were so excited to have therainforestschool visit us and learn about Carlotta our loggerhead who is recovering from a serious injury caused by entanglement by discarded fishing line!
The cairns_aquarium run daily tours of our rehabilitation centre and do an outstanding job of being the voices for these incredible animals 🐢
If you would like to participate in one of these tours while also contributing a donation please book online or at the front administration desk cairns_aquarium
#cairnsturtlerehab #cairnsturtles #seaturtleeducation #cairnsturtlerehabilitationcentre #thegreatbarrierreef #seaturtle #seaturtlehospital #cairnsturtlehospital #cairnsaquarium #explorecairns #saveseaturtles #saveturtles #seaturtle #seaturtleconservation #seaturtlerescue #seaturtleweek #savetheocean #ctrc #thegreatbarrierreef #reef #seaturtlefriends #fitzroyisland #jamescookuniversity #cairnsaquarium #greenseaturtle #loggerheadturtle #hawksbillturtle #seaturtlelove
Education is conservation!! 📚 🐢
Here at Cairns Turtle rehabilitation Center we work very hard to aid and recover our sick and injured patients but we also are on the front line delivering educational tours for guest and school groups!
Understanding the current threats that these animals face and learning of the ecological importance that Sea Turtles have within the environment is key to their conservation!
We were so excited to have therainforestschool visit us and learn about Carlotta our loggerhead who is recovering from a serious injury caused by entanglement by discarded fishing line!
The cairns_aquarium run daily tours of our rehabilitation centre and do an outstanding job of being the voices for these incredible animals 🐢
If you would like to participate in one of these tours while also contributing a donation please book online or at the front administration desk cairns_aquarium
#cairnsturtlerehab #cairnsturtles #seaturtleeducation #cairnsturtlerehabilitationcentre #thegreatbarrierreef #seaturtle #seaturtlehospital #cairnsturtlehospital #cairnsaquarium #explorecairns #saveseaturtles #saveturtles #seaturtle #seaturtleconservation #seaturtlerescue #seaturtleweek #savetheocean #ctrc #thegreatbarrierreef #reef #seaturtlefriends #fitzroyisland #jamescookuniversity #cairnsaquarium #greenseaturtle #loggerheadturtle #hawksbillturtle #seaturtlelove
Coming through! This loggerhead turtle obviously had places to go and things to do! With their huge heads and massive bodies, these turtles grow to weigh over 400 lbs./180kg! #bluewatervisions #rickmowbray #loggerheadturtle #cozumel #blueprojectcozumel #underwaterphotography
Coming through! This loggerhead turtle obviously had places to go and things to do! With their huge heads and massive bodies, these turtles grow to weigh over 400 lbs./180kg! #bluewatervisions #rickmowbray #loggerheadturtle #cozumel #blueprojectcozumel #underwaterphotography
🐢 Nesting season is here! From May to October, these magnificent sea turtles grace our shores with their ancient ritual. Let`s protect their nests and ensure their journey continues safely. 🌊 #NestingSeason #SeaTurtles #HiltonHeadIsland #LoggerheadTurtle
🐢 Nesting season is here! From May to October, these magnificent sea turtles grace our shores with their ancient ritual. Let`s protect their nests and ensure their journey continues safely. 🌊 #NestingSeason #SeaTurtles #HiltonHeadIsland #LoggerheadTurtle
Endangered Species of Florida Series by artist ampburks all SOLD 🔴. Several pieces are still available. Join Anthony Burks Sr. at zeroemptyspaces shoplegacyplace at 11300 Legacy Avenue Suite 140, Palm Beach Gardens on bother May 4 & 11 at his Mother’s Day Sale. #wildlife #endangeredspecies #endangeredspeciesflorida #anthonyburkscollections #pbclocalartists #zeroemptyspaces #zest #collectors #animaladvocate #alligator #manatee #humpbackwhale #panther #loggerheadturtle
Endangered Species of Florida Series by artist ampburks all SOLD 🔴. Several pieces are still available. Join Anthony Burks Sr. at zeroemptyspaces shoplegacyplace at 11300 Legacy Avenue Suite 140, Palm Beach Gardens on bother May 4 & 11 at his Mother’s Day Sale. #wildlife #endangeredspecies #endangeredspeciesflorida #anthonyburkscollections #pbclocalartists #zeroemptyspaces #zest #collectors #animaladvocate #alligator #manatee #humpbackwhale #panther #loggerheadturtle
To all the beautiful mama’s waiting to come ashore,
we are anxiously awaiting your return. The Hilton Head turtle patrol and all of us turtle lovers are excited and ready to welcome you! It’s officially turtle season!!
#turtle #turtleseason #loggerheadturtle #greenseaturtle #seaturtles #seaturtlesofinstagram #wildlifephotography #turtlephotography #hiltonheadseaturtlepatrol #hiltonheadwildlife #savetheseaturtles
To all the beautiful mama’s waiting to come ashore,
we are anxiously awaiting your return. The Hilton Head turtle patrol and all of us turtle lovers are excited and ready to welcome you! It’s officially turtle season!!
#turtle #turtleseason #loggerheadturtle #greenseaturtle #seaturtles #seaturtlesofinstagram #wildlifephotography #turtlephotography #hiltonheadseaturtlepatrol #hiltonheadwildlife #savetheseaturtles
The Fripp Island Resort offers a Turtle Walk nature program to visit the nests and learn about these magnificent creatures. May through September.
☏ 843-838-1516