Despite record numbers of sea turtle nests this year, Mote Marine Laboratory documented 57,790 hatchlings this season, with 20,938 of them on Longboat Key. The numbers are lower than were expected because this year there were record high nesting numbers, according to Mote Marine. This year was a record season for turtle nests, with 2,462 [...]
Mote Marine Laboratory has sent a letter to the town expressing an urgent need for $15,000 to continue its sea turtle nesting program, as this year’s record numbers of sea turtle nests has caused an increase in monitoring.
According to Mote Marine’s website, the week of July 15–21 saw the total number of new sea turtle nests for Longboat Key at 50; compared to 17 nests on Longboat Key in the same week in 2011.
The total number of nests in the area covered by Mote Marine Laboratory’s Sea Turtle Patrol (Longboat Key through Venice) is more than double what was recorded at about the same time last year.
The first sea turtle hatchlings of the year emerged this week from nests on Longboat and Siesta keys, according to scientists at Mote Marine Laboratory, who say the nests hatched right on time. Some of the hatchlings disoriented — lost their way to sea after becoming distracted by artificial light. To help hatchlings reach the [...]
A sea turtle chilled to the bone by this past winter’s cold snap was released Monday from Manasota Key by Mote staff, who helped the turtle recover from severe cold-related tissue damage.
