13/09/2024
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Turtle Hatchling Season
September is the peak time for sea turtle hatchlings to emerge from nests and scramble to the ocean along our coastal beaches here in North Carolina. Nearly half of the 1,358 sea turtle nests laid in summer 2024 have produced hatchlings, with more emerging from remaining nests through October and into November. Most sea turtle hatchlings emerge from their nests at night and use visual cues to traverse the beach and reach the water. Please remember when visiting the coast to keep the beach as dark as possible, to allow the turtles to easily find their way to the water, by turning off outdoor lights visible on the beach, and drawing curtains to block indoors lights from being visible.
--NNC Wildlife Resources Commission