Ormond Beach, located on Florida’s east coast, is an important nesting site for sea turtles, particularly during the summer months. Several species of sea turtles, including loggerhead, green, and occasionally leatherback turtles, come ashore to lay their eggs along the beach.
Key points about sea turtles in Ormond Beach:
1. Nesting Season
- Sea turtle nesting season in Ormond Beach typically runs from May through October.
- During this time, mother sea turtles come ashore to dig nests and lay their eggs, usually at night.
- Hatchlings emerge from their nests roughly 50 to 60 days after the eggs are laid and make their way to the ocean.
2. Conservation Efforts
- Volunteers and organizations like the Volusia County Environmental Management and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission work to protect sea turtle nests and monitor their population.
- Beaches in Ormond are often marked with signs or barriers indicating the location of nests to prevent human disturbance.
- Lighting restrictions are enforced during nesting season to prevent hatchlings from becoming disoriented by artificial lights, as they naturally navigate towards the moon and the horizon over the ocean.
3. Threats to Sea Turtles
- Human activity, coastal development, beach lighting, and predators pose threats to both sea turtle nests and hatchlings.
- Beachgoers are encouraged to remove obstacles like beach chairs and fill in holes to help protect the turtles during nesting season.
Ormond Beach is committed to maintaining a balance between its tourist activities and the preservation of its natural wildlife, including these sea turtles, ensuring a safe environment for their continued survival.
Sea Turtles In Ormond Beach