Network for Endangered Sea Turtles
Turtle Facts
Sea Turtle Information
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The Outer Banks of North Carolina is one of the northernmost ranges for sea turtles.
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Sea turtles are air-breathing reptiles.
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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?
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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.
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Turn off outside and inside ocean-facing lights during hatching events. Sea turtle hatchlings will head towards the house lights instead of heading to the sea.
Learn more about the: Steps You can Take
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
