North Carolina’s coast is a significant location for sea turtle nesting and hatching. Understanding these events provides insight into the life history of these creatures.
Nesting Season in North Carolina
Sea turtles typically begin their nesting season in North Carolina around mid-May, with activity continuing through August. During this period, adult female sea turtles, primarily loggerheads, emerge from the ocean to lay their eggs on sandy beaches. Loggerheads are the most common species to nest in North Carolina, though green and leatherback sea turtles also occasionally lay nests. Nests are usually dug above the high tide line, where the female excavates a chamber using her hind flippers to deposit approximately 100 to 180 eggs. After laying her clutch, the female covers the eggs with sand and returns to the sea, leaving the eggs to incubate. The incubation period for sea turtle eggs typically lasts around 60 days, although this can extend up to 100 days depending on environmental factors like temperature and shade.
The Hatching Window
Sea turtle hatchings in North Carolina generally begin in July and can continue into October. The peak period for hatchling emergence usually occurs during late summer, specifically in August and September. The exact timing of hatching is significantly influenced by the sand temperature surrounding the nest. Warmer sand temperatures tend to shorten the incubation period and produce a higher proportion of female hatchlings, while cooler temperatures result in more males. For instance, temperatures above approximately 88.8 degrees Fahrenheit (31 degrees Celsius) during a critical period of incubation can lead to nearly all female hatchlings, whereas temperatures below 81.86 degrees Fahrenheit (27.7 degrees Celsius) yield mostly males. Hatchlings typically emerge from their nests at night or during cooler periods to minimize exposure to predators and high daytime temperatures.
The Hatching Process
Sea turtle hatchlings use an egg tooth, called a caruncle, to break free from their shells. Once hatched, the young turtles collectively dig their way to the surface, a process that can take several days. This simultaneous emergence from the nest is often described as a “boiling” phenomenon, as many tiny turtles push through the sand at once. Upon emerging, hatchlings instinctively orient themselves toward the brightest horizon, which, on a natural beach, is the reflection of moonlight and stars on the ocean surface. They then begin their crawl towards the sea. This journey is fraught with challenges, including predation from ghost crabs and birds, and disorientation caused by artificial lights, which can lead them away from the ocean. Hatchlings undertake a “swim frenzy” in the ocean for their first 24 to 48 hours, moving into deeper waters to escape nearshore predators.
How to Help Hatchlings
Observing sea turtles and their hatchlings requires responsible behavior to support their survival.
- Maintain distance and avoid interfering with nesting turtles or emerging hatchlings.
- Avoid using artificial lights on the beach at night, as they can disorient hatchlings.
- Do not touch, guide, or pick up hatchlings; their journey to the ocean is an imprinting process.
- Understand that disturbing sea turtles, their nests, or hatchlings is illegal under the Endangered Species Act and state laws.
- Contact local wildlife officials or sea turtle conservation groups if you encounter a distressed turtle or nest.
- Remove all beach equipment and fill in holes at the end of the day to ensure a clear path for turtles and hatchlings.