Loggerheads Nested at Keewaydin

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Sea Turtle Activity Report 05-08-25

Loggerheads nested at Keewaydin last weekend, according to Jeff Schmid, environmental research manager at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. He also added, “That was the first nest that we’ve recorded for the season.

According to FWC, mature loggerhead sea turtles can range in size from 2.4 to 3.5 feet and can weigh between 155 to 412 pounds. Female loggerheads will go ashore an average of four times a season to lay 100-150 eggs, in the shape of a golf ball. When females come ashore, they will dig a deep trench on a sandy beach to nest, and the incubation period for the eggs is 49-58 days.

Sea turtles are strong swimmers but are less agile on land. In some areas of Sand Dollar Island, sea turtles might encounter beach embankments or scarps that are about three to four feet high. A gradual slope is preferred, making it easier for an egg-laden female to haul herself ashore.

There is usually a reason that a sea turtle ends up stranded on a beach. They are either sick or injured, and the first instinct is to try to put them back in the water. Putting them back in the water usually means that they’ll end up washing up a bit further down the beach, or in their weakened state, become easy prey to larger marine predators. 

According to FWC, if you find a sea turtle that appears to be hurt or unable to get back to the water, call the FWC hotline at 888-404-3922.