Finally, we have a little good news among all the craziness of 2020! Early in August, the first of Pensacola Beach’s Loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings made their way from nest to sea. The official count was 129 baby sea turtles, which is a nice big nest. Several more are expected to hatch soon, along a strip that’s protected by Pensacola Beach patrols. These protections are offered in hopes of bolstering the population of these important sea turtle hatchlings. (1)
Precious Sea Turtle Hatchlings
Notices posted throughout the surrounding area let visitors know to be aware of turtle nests hatching nearby and to be mindful of their effect on the surroundings. The hatchlings need quiet, darkness, and for their area to be free of obstructions like beach furniture and coolers. Imagine trying to emerge from the darkness into this big wide world, take your first breaths and start your life, only to run headlong into the leg of a beach chair! So it’s lights out at night, and pack out whatever you pack in. These are the two main rules of thumb when coexisting peacefully with newborn marine life. (1)
Sea Turtle Hatchlings – A Keystone Species
Pensacola Beach officials have something to be proud of where these sea turtle hatchlings are concerned. The baby Loggerheads who made their way into the Gulf of Mexico are a key part of the region’s ecosystem. In fact, the Loggerhead is known as a “keystone species”, which means that other animals literally need them to survive.
How? A few different ways. One of the main sources of nutrition in the Loggerhead’s diet is invertebrates. When the hungry turtle chows down, it takes the whole shell and everything in one gulp. Those shells end up as waste material, scooped up from the ocean bottom by other hungry marine life, who glean calcium from it.
Of course, some sea turtle hatchlings become prey themselves, so they are an integral part of the ecosystem in that way too. Loggerheads also have no problem with renting out their shell space to hitchhikers. Barnacles, algae, and even little crabs love to catch a ride on a loggerhead, finding refuge (and food too) in their big bumpy shells. (2)
Official Protection For Sea Turtle Hatchlings
The Loggerhead is just one of many species of sea turtle, some of which are in real danger of losing population numbers. Often the danger has to do with we humans, hence the notices around Pensacola Beach. Humans encroach on the sea turtle’s territory, and when that happens, it disrupts the natural flow of things. Someone doesn’t move their cooler at the end of the day, and it happens to be sitting right on top of a nest that’s trying to hatch. Or they leave their beach house porch light on, and the sea turtle hatchlings become confused by the artificial source of light.
The beach is certainly a lovely place to relax and spend some quality time. But the animals need to be able to exist there too. Being mindful of our marine counterparts, and our impact on them, will ultimately help everyone to thrive.
