SW Florida Loggerhead Turtles

SW Florida Loggerhead Turtles, AKA Sea Turtles can be found along the beaches and islands in Southwest Florida. Florida beaches are home to 80% of the loggerhead turtles in the US. There is an estimated 50,000 sea turtles in Florida during the months of May through October every year. This makes Florida one of the most important nesting areas in the United States! It is imperative to keep the beaches of Southwest Florida sea turtle friendly. Here are a few things you can do to protect these beautiful endangered species.

Turn off all lights that are visible to the beach. Do not use flashlights or cell phone lights on the beach. If necessary, use amber or LED bulbs.
Do not disturb the screens covering nests. They prevent predators from eating the eggs and the hatchlings emerge through the holes without assistance.
Remove all beach furniture and equipment from the beach at night.
Dispose all fishing lines, lures, etc properly to avoid wildlife entanglement.
Fill in large holes that can trap hatchlings and nesting sea turtles.
Do not disturb nesting turtles – please do not get too close, shine lights on or take flash photographs of nesting sea turtles.
Pick up your liter – Help keep the beaches of SW Florida clean by picking up all debris and trash.

Do your part in protecting the Loggerhead Turtles in Lee County and the entire State of Florida…. remember the rules above when visiting the beaches of the sunshine state.