Year's First Leatherback Sea Turtle Spotted In Florida As Nesting Expected To Equal Last Year's Record Numbers
ByMore sea turtles lay their eggs on Florida's coastline than any other in the United States. Already one of the five species found in its waters has been spotted, the leatherback, Fox reported.
Sea turtles lay their eggs in "nests" dug several feet into beach sand from March until October, at which point the eggs hatch and out come the iconic stream of young pups hoping to avoid land, air, and sea predators before they can begin their lives in the ocean.
All five species of sea turtles are protected in Florida (including the green turtle, which is considered endangered) according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. More recently, however, the turtles have made a comeback, at least in terms of nests. A record 36,000 were documented in 2013, while this season projects similar robust numbers, Fox reported.
The leatherback, the largest of the seven species of sea turtles on earth, was seen along Florida's east coast, covering a range from Broward County to Brevard County, according to Fox. They can grow over six feet and weigh past 2,000 pounds, according to marinelife.com. As their name would suggest, leatherbacks are the coarsest of their kind with a ridged shell that blends almost seamlessly into their bodies.
Though five species swim in Florida waters, only three lay their eggs on its coast the leatherback, the green turtle, and loggerheads, or the second largest of the seven types of sea turtles.
In a few more months, all three should register as somewhat common sightings along Florida's cost.