First stranding for 2024 NMB

 Although this stranding was deceased, it is still very important to document this endangered Sea Turtle.

Even though much of the scutes were already missing we were able to to identify its species by a few signs, the most prominent was the serrated lower jaw that only the Green Sea Turtle Species will have.

Every Sea Turtle found either deceased or alive and in need of help will be documented and entered into a national database.  After a Sea Turtle leaves the nest, crawls out and enters the Ocean, they spend their entire life in the Ocean.  The only time a Sea Turtle will come to shore is if it is in need of help or she is Nesting. 

The information that is taken from deceased Turtles or live Strandings is very important as many times this is the only way we know how to further help the Endangered Sea Turtle Species.

Some of the data we are able to document is if there are visual signs of entanglement, netting, fishing line, hooks, boat propeller wounds, shark bites.  If a necropsy is done or a live Sea Turtle Stranding is taken to a Sea Turtle Hospital or rehab center, even more data will be able to be seen and documented.

Please if you see a dead or alive Sea Turtle do not put it back into the Ocean.  If it is alive, it is in need of help.  If nesting very important to stay in back of her a good distance away, do not hinder or bother her.  If caught by hook, please gently bring to shore, or if on a Fishing Pier, bring up with a Turtle safe net.  Never Pull the Sea Turtle up on a pier by just the fishing line as this could cause much internal damage to her.

All Sea Turtles are endangered, special training and permits are needed to work with Nesting Sea Turtles, Nest, Hatchlings and Strandings. If you are in NMB or Briarcliffe areas and see a Stranded, deceased or Nesting Sea Turtle please call.

NMB STP

843-213-9074

ANYTIME DAY OR NIGHT

Inventory results on protected Loggerhead Sea Turtle nest #13

 This Nest had 89 eggs in the nest, one was used for DNA studies, so 88 eggs were relocated

Many volunteers are eagerly waiting to see the end results of their hard work. Many Volunteers eagerly sharing information and their passion about saving the endangered Sea Turtle species.

The inventory will now begin, information is given out about this nest to all that have come. One Hatchling is found deep in the nest that had not made it out on his own.  All are able to see the Hatchling while the inventory is taking place in case more Hatchlings are found.

This is the results of this inventory; all are able to see the whole and hatched shells and see what the Egg chamber looks like. Many are amazed that the mother Loggerhead Sea Turtle typically will dig down about 18 inches to 24 inches, sometimes deeper with just her back two flippers.

Inventory results

89.8% hatch success rate for relocated eggs.

79 hatches eggs

9 unhatched eggs or whole eggs

1 live hatchling

0 dead hatchlings

All Sea Turtles are endangered, they are Federally and State protected.  Special guidelines, training and permits are required to work with all Sea turtles, Nest, Hatchlings and Stranded Sea Turtles.

If you encounter a Sea Turtle or Hatchling in NMB or Briarcliffe areas, please call the NMB STP Hotline.

NMB STP HOTLINE

843-213-9074

ANYTIME DAY OR NIGHT

Inventory on protected Loggerhead nest #12

 Inventory starts on a nice summer evening, many NMB STP Volunteers have come to help as many people have come to see.  The Volunteers are Excited to see the results of this protected nest.  Many have spent the summer walking the beaches in order to find a Sea Turtle crawl or body pit, as they know how important these protected nests will be in the future survival of the Endangered Sea Turtle species.

There were 140 eggs found in this nest. one was used for DNA Studie's, 139 egg were relocated.

During inventory 3 live Hatchlings are found in the nest that had not been able to make it out of the egg chamber on their own. All are allowed to look at them until inventory is finished in case any others are found so all can be released together.

Eggs are carefully sorted and results are documented as this information will help in future of the Endangered Sea Turtle species.

 

85% Hatch rate

139 eggs

20 eggs were pipped or unhatched

2 dead hatchlings

3 live hatchlings

  All Sea Turtles are endangered, they are federally, and state protected.  Special guidelines, training and permits are required to work with all Sea Turtles, nest, Hatchlings and Stranded Sea Turtles.

If you encounter a Sea Turtle r Hatchling in NMB or Briarcliffe areas, please call the NMB STP Hotline.

NMB STP Hotlines

843-213-9074

ANYTIME DAY OR NIGHT

Inventory result on NMB endangered Green Sea Turtle nest

 Great inventory results for this endangered Green Sea Turtle nest.  Green Sea Turtles are the second largest Sea Turtles species.   A very special nest as this was the first documented Green Sea Turtle nest in NMB.  Loggerhead Sea Turtle are the typical Sea Turtle that nest on the NMB beaches.

With the threat of high king tides and tropical storm Idalia this Green Sea Turtle nest had been a very big concern.  With the lucky stars in our favor, this nest emerged in time to allow an inventory to be done before this storm hit.

Time is off the essence so a morning inventory on this Green Sea Turtle Nest.

During the inventory, 9 Green Sea Turtle Hatchlings were found in the nest that had not been able to make it out of the nest.

The Hatchlings are released on the beach so they can make it into the Ocean on their own.

And they are on their way

All Sea Turtles are endangered, they are Federally and State protected.  Special guidelines, training and permits are required to work with Nesting Sea Turtles, Nest, Hatchlings and stranded Sea Turtles.

If you encounter a Sea Turtle or Hatchling in NMB or Briarcliffe areas, please call the NMB STP Hotline

NMB STP HOTLINE

843-213-9074

ANYTINE DAY OR NIGHT

Inventory on protected Loggerhead Sea Turtle nest # 10

This Loggerhead Sea Turtle Mother had laid 92 eggs, 1 used for DNA studies, 91 eggs relocated in this nest. This nest incubated for 51 days.

NMB STP Volunteers getting ready for the inventory, flags are put up to protect the area the nest will be worked. Many Volunteers are helping as people begin coming to the inventory. Many beachgoers are excited to learn about the endangered Sea Turtle species as they happen to see this inventory in progress, 

Inventory is done and the result of this protected nest is shared.

One Hatchling was found deep in the nest and is on his/her way from the beach to the open Sea.  

All Sea Turtles are endangered, they are Federally and State protected.  Special guidelines training and permits are required to work with Nesting Sea Turtles, Nest, Hatchlings and Strandings.

If you encounter a Sea Turtle or Hatchling in NMB or Briarcliffe areas, please call the NMB STP Hotline.

NMB STP HOTLINE

843-213-9074

ANYTIME DAY OR NIGHT

Inventory results of protected Loggerhead Sea Turtle Nest #9

 This nesting mother laid 128 eggs, one was used for DNA studies, 127 were protected in this nest.  The nest incubated for 49 days before emergence.

NMB STP Volunteers are eagerly awaiting the start of inventory, many people have come to watch and have good questions. They leave with a new appreciation of the Endangered Sea Turtle species.

A recap of this nest is given to all that have come.

2 live hatchlings were found in this nest, all are able to look at a safe distance until inventory is completed in case more are found in the nest.  The Hatchlings will be released at the same time.

Lines are formed on both sides giving the Hatchlings plenty of space as they make their trek from the beach to the open Seas.

And they are on their way from the beach to the Ocean.

The shells are carefully counted, as this information will be collected and entered into a data base to help in the conservation to help the endangered Sea Turtle species. 

The inventory results.

75.6% hatch success rate of relocated eggs

127 relocated eggs

96 hatched shells 

30 unhatched or whole eggs

1 pipped egg, head sticking out.

All Sea Turtles are protected, they are Federally and State protected.  Special guidelines, training and permits are required to work with Nesting Sea Turtle Mothers, Nest, Hatchling and strandings.

If you encounter a Sea Turtle or Hatchling in NMB or Briarcliffe areas, please call the NMB STP Hotline.

NMB STP HOTLINE

843-213-9074

ANY TIME DAY OR NIGHT