Sarasota Barrier Island Turtle Update

As of June 13, 2009 Mote Marine reports of turtle nesting activity for 2009:

Longboat Key Manatee County: There were 43 Nests and 30 False Crawls for Loggerhead Turtles and no Nests or False Crawls for Green Turtles.

Longboat Key Sarasota County: There were 41 Nests and 29 False Crawls for Loggerhead Turtles and no Nests or False Crawls for Green Turtles.

Lido Beach: There were 3 Nests and 15 False Crawls for Loggerhead Turtles and no Nests or False Crawls for Green Turtles.

Siesta Key: There were 43 Nests and 52 False Crawls for Loggerhead Turtles and 1 Nest and 1 False Crawl for Green Turtles.

Casey Key: There were 148 Nests and 99 False Crawls for Loggerhead Turtles and no Nests or False Crawls for Green Turtles.

Venice Beach: There were 67 Nests and 28 False Crawls for Loggerhead Turtles and no Nests or False Crawls for Green Turtles.

Totals as of June 13, 2009: There were 345 Nest and 253 False Crawls for Loggerhead Turtles and 1 Nest and 1 False Crawl for Green Turtles.

A little background on these two types of turtles: Provided by NESTS: Neighbors Ensuring Sea Turtle Survival

Loggerhead

Scientific name: Caretta caretta. The loggerhead's
Common name is derived from the size of its head.
Appearance: Adults and sub adults have a reddish brown
Carapace (upper shell) and a dull brown to
Yellowish plastron (lower shell).
Size: Most adults weigh between 250 and 350 pounds
And have a carapace between 3 and 4 feet long.
Reproduction: Loggerheads return to their nesting
Beach at intervals of 2, 3 or more years during their
Nesting season, which runs from May through September.
They lay 4 to 7 nests per season. The average
Number of eggs per nest is usually between 100 to 126.
Eggs incubate for about 60 days.

Green Turtle

Scientific name: Chelonia mydas. The green turtle's common
Name is derived from the green color of the fat that lies
Just under the upper and lower shell.
Appearance: A single pair of scales on the front of its head
Distinguishes the green turtle.
Size: Adults weigh between 225 and 350 pounds and
Measure between 3 and 4 feet.
Reproduction: Green turtles return to their nesting beach
In intervals of 2, 3 or more years. They lay an average of 3 to
5 egg clutches during the nesting season, which runs from
June through September, but a female may lay as many as
10 clutches. Greens lay about 115 eggs per clutch, which
Incubate in about 60 days.

Another interesting fact about Sea Turtles:

Research indicates that the sex of an embryo is determined sometime after fertilization, as the embryo develops, and may be temperature dependent. Lower nest temperatures produce more males; higher temperatures produce more females.
As always Mote Marine is looking for volunteers to be involved in the Turtle Program during the five plus month period, starting May 1 to Nov 1 each year.

The Turtles Nesting on the Sarasota Barrier Islands just adds to the ambience of living and enjoying the lifestyle of the Sarasota Barrier Islands. If you would like to look at any of the properties on any of Sarasota Barrier Islands (Casey Key, Siesta Key, Lido Key, Venice Island, Manasota Key, or Longboat Key) the Herron Group, Nick Herron and Kathleen Herron 941-350-5035 with RE/MAX Alliance Group are ready to show you.