Sea turtles have navigated the world’s oceans for millions of years. Their annual return to coastal shores for nesting highlights their connection to marine ecosystems. These reptiles play a significant role in maintaining ocean health.
North Carolina’s Sea Turtle Nesting Season
In North Carolina, sea turtle nesting season typically begins in May and continues through August. While nesting occurs within this period, hatching can extend into the fall, depending on when nests were laid and environmental conditions.
The Loggerhead is the most common sea turtle species to nest along North Carolina’s coast, known for its large head and powerful jaws. Green and Leatherback sea turtles also occasionally nest in the state. Kemp’s Ridley turtles are sometimes sighted, adding to the diversity of species utilizing these coastal habitats. These species use approximately 330 miles of ocean-facing sandy beaches as nesting grounds.
The Nesting Ritual
A female sea turtle crawls out of the ocean, often at night, to find a suitable spot above the high tide line. She uses her front flippers to excavate a broad body pit, clearing loose sand. She then uses her rear flippers to dig a deep, flask-shaped egg chamber, typically 18 to 24 inches deep.
Once the egg chamber is complete, the female deposits her clutch of eggs, usually one to four at a time. Loggerhead sea turtles, the most frequent nesters in North Carolina, generally lay between 100 and 120 eggs per nest. These eggs are soft-shelled and roughly the size and shape of a ping-pong ball.
After laying her eggs, the female uses her rear flippers to cover the chamber with sand. She then uses her front flippers to throw sand backward, camouflaging the nest. The entire nesting process can take several hours, after which the turtle returns to the sea, leaving her eggs to incubate for approximately 60 days.
How to Protect Nesting Sea Turtles
Protecting nesting sea turtles requires public awareness and responsible behavior on North Carolina beaches. If a nesting sea turtle is encountered, remain quiet, still, and at a safe distance to avoid disturbing her, as fright can cause her to abandon the nesting attempt. Never use flashlights or camera flashes directly on nesting turtles or hatchlings, as artificial white light disorients them and can deter nesting or lead hatchlings away from the ocean.
Beachgoers can contribute to conservation efforts by removing all recreational equipment, such as chairs and umbrellas, from the beach at night. Filling in any holes dug during the day and properly disposing of all trash helps prevent obstacles that can trap nesting females or emerging hatchlings. Many nests are marked with tape or signs by trained volunteers; these areas should always be left undisturbed. Report any suspected nesting activity, disturbed nests, or injured turtles to local authorities or wildlife organizations for their protection.