First Sea Turtle Nest of the 2017 Nesting Season Found at Cape Hatteras National Seashore

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News Release Date: May 10, 2017
Contact: Michael Barber

One of the first three sea turtle nests in North Carolina was found at Cape Hatteras National Seashore on the morning of May 9, 2017. The nest is located at the north end of Avon Village and is the earliest documented Loggerhead sea turtle nest on the beaches of the Seashore since at least 2002.

It is important for all beach users to be aware of their surroundings as sea turtles can be difficult to see when crawling on a beach environment. Their shell color blends in well with the sand, especially after dark and at dawn when they are most likely to be active. There may also be thrown sand on the turtle that accumulates from the nesting process.

If you are driving an off-road vehicle on the beach, please drive carefully within the speed limit and avoid running over any objects. Sea turtles generally leave a U-shaped crawl path on the beach when they come to nest. Please stop immediately and do not proceed if you spot an adult or hatchling sea turtle. Sea turtle hatchlings are small (about 2-3 inches long) and from a vehicle, hatchlings look like small dark objects that may appear to be vegetation or other debris on the beach.

If you encounter a sea turtle hatchling, sea turtle tracks, or an adult sea turtle, call 252-216-6892.

Tags: sea turtle

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