Education

Want to learn more about sea turtles?

Worldwide there are only seven seven species of sea turtle, all protected under the endangered species act. The Leatherback, Flatback, Green, Loggerhead, Hawksbill, Olive Ridley, and Kemp's Ridley.

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Sea turtle nesting seasons vary around the world but here in Florida, nesting season begins in March with massive leatherbacks coming ashore, followed by loggerheads, and green sea turtles with nesting continuing all the way into October. On occasion, Florida may even see a rare Hawksbill and/or Kemp's Ridley nest!

Once the hatchlings emerge they will make their way toward the sea and to the Sargasso seaweed miles offshore where they survive by floating on the seaweed and feeding on the marine creatures also inhabiting it. After a few years in the middle of the ocean, the juvenile marine turtles begin to make their way towards inlets and nearshore reefs, finding protection under reef ledges and feeding on the reef algae. This is where East Coast Biologists comes in! Our research focuses on how these juvenile green turtles utilize these reefs, learn more on our research page!

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