The Hurricane Irene has relocated not only people and their homes. It has relocated animal species of all varieties.
We have received inquiries from folks who have found a turtle in their yards and wonder if it is a sea turtle. Sea turtles differ from
the others in several important and easily identifiable ways.
● Sea turtles cannot withdraw into their shells.
● Sea turtles have flippers, not legs with claws.
Click on this link for help identifying a turtle you may have found.
Turtles of North Carolina
IMPORTANT: Sea turtles are an endangered species. Possession of a sea turtle is illegal. If you think you have found one, keep it on
slightly wet sand in a container covered with a towel and contact the N.E.S.T. Hotline immediately at
252-441-8622.If the turtle you find is identifiable as a land/sound based turtle, please release it into the nearest stream or creek.