Beach communities are getting ready to participate in one of natureâs yearly miracles that takes place from May 1 through Oct. 31 â the hatching of sea turtles and their struggle to survive the perilous trek to the sea.
According to Pinellas Countyâs Coastal Management Program, adult male turtles never leave the water, but to give birth female turtles come ashore in the dark, dig a hole using their flippers, and lay 100 to 150 eggs at a time. During the course of a season, a single female lays three to eight nests. After a 45- to 70-day gestation period, hatchlings emerge from the nest at night and attempt to follow the moonlight reflecting off the Gulf to get to sea.