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 [...]
Visitors to The Aquarium at Mote Marine Laboratory will soon be able to get even closer to the sea turtle hatchlings that we treat each year, thanks to a donation from a local family. The donation, which has helped install a new viewing window and refurbish the hospital habitat for these tiny sea turtle patients, [...]
On Aug. 6, the Longboat Key Turtle Watch volunteers held the first turtle nest opening of the season, which was a normal sized hatch. Tropical Storm Debby destroyed many sea turtle nests, other nests simply lost their marker stakes which may still hatch, but their precise locations are unknown. Because so many nests are unmarked, [...]
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.
Mote Marine Laboratory offered thanks to the Longboat Key Turtle Watch, which donated $3,349 this week to Mote’s sea turtle programs and marine science education efforts. Turtle Watch volunteers presented donation checks to Mote staff Dec. 2, at the public Mote Aquarium exhibit “Sea Turtles, Ancient Survivors.” “We are excited to support Mote each 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 [...]
Curious about sea turtles and nesting on our beaches? Learn the tale behind the turtle tracks with Mote Marine Laboratory’s Turtle Walks — free educational strolls in collaboration with Hilton Longboat Key Beachfront Resort. A Mote-trained volunteer will lead groups to scout for signs of turtle nesting while discussing sea turtles and other local wildlife, [...]
Three sea turtle nests were found this week by Mote Marine Laboratory, which began Sunday its 30th year of monitoring nesting on local beaches. Throughout nesting season — May 1 to Oct. 31 — Mote scientists, interns and more than 300 volunteers in Mote’s Sea Turtle Patrol monitor nesting on 35 miles of Sarasota County [...]
Sea turtle nesting season begins May 1, and Sarasota County is reminding residents about city and county ordinances that require beachfront businesses and residences to turn off or shield lights along coastlines to protect hatchlings. Southwest Florida beaches host the Gulf of Mexico’s largest nesting population of loggerheads, Kemp’s ridley and green sea turtles.
