Network for Endangered Sea Turtles
Turtle Facts
Sea Turtle Information
●
The Outer Banks of North Carolina is one of the northernmost ranges for sea turtles.
●
Sea turtles are air-breathing reptiles.
●
Sea turtles visit the Outer Banks during early- to mid-summer to lay eggs. Those eggs hatch 55 - 80
days after they are laid. Sea turtle nest cavities are 18-22 inches deep and an average sea turtle
nest contains 75 - 150 ping pong-sized eggs. Most adult sea turtles nest every other year or every
three years, laying 3-4 clutches (nests) of eggs during a nesting season (May - August).
Learn more about: Sea Turtles
What is a Turtle Crawl?
A turtle crawl is the unique pattern in the sand left by a sea turtle when the
turtle crawls to or from the sea. Some people say they look like a tractor
tread. Turtle crawls are key to helping sea turtles because the crawls tell us
we were visited by one of these special creatures.
Learn more about: Turtle Crawls
How Can You Help?
●
Do not crowd or get in the way of a nesting sea female as she
is emerging from or returning to the sea. Do not shine any lights on or
around her head or she may abandon her effort to nest. No flash photography.
Sit quietly away from her during the nesting process.
●
Turn off outside ocean-facing porch lights, inside and all other lights during
hatching events. No flash photography. Sea turtle hatchlings will head towards your
house lights and die rather than head to the sea and have the
opportunity to become mature sea turtles.
Learn more about the: Steps You can Take
Sea Turtles
More Sea Turtle Information
Sea Turtle Sites
N.E.S.T
(N.E.S.T.)
P.O. Box 1168
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
REPORT ALL NESTING TURTLES, TURTLE CRAWLS, stranded/dead turtles, OR HATCHING EVENTS on the Outer Banks to the
N.E.S.T. Hotline
252-441-8622
