Baby Loggerhead Turtle

USFWS National Wildlife Refuge System:

This is sea turtle nesting season at Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge in Florida and elsewhere in the southeast, including when loggerhead hatchlings begin to emerge. Mating occurs in late March to early June and loggerhead females lay eggs between late April and early September. They lay three to five nests during a single season – and sometimes more. The eggs incubate about 60 days. So, just after the summer solstice, some loggerhead hatchlings begin to pip their eggs, scratch their way out of their sandy nests at night and scamper to the sea. Hatching can take place through mid-November. This year, Archie Carr Refuge is nearing a record nesting season for loggerhead, leatherback and green turtles. Photo of loggerhead baby by Blair and Dawn Witherington

About Archie Carr Refuge: www.fws.gov/archiecarr/