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NSBNEWS.net photo by Sera Frederick. This turtle crossed North Peninsula Avenue.
Mrs. Frederick and I were heading to the animal park at the beach in her Jeep Liberty with our two dogs -- Cheeto, a Cairn terrier, and Napolean, a Yorkie puppy -- when we came upon a giant turtle crossing east to west. We immediately pulled over and deliberately stood in the middle of the road to guarantee safe passage, even though no vehicles came from either direction.
We don't know what kind of turtle it was, but it had webbed feet or flippers. And it was in a good-sized shell. We certainly aren't going to pretend to be turtle experts, but it was a sight to behold. We took a couple of photos without impeding its path about 4 p.m. Thursday under sunny skies. The dogs had no clue it was even there.
I am pretty sensitive to turtles. I saw one purposely run over about 10 years ago on State Road 44 in DeLand. The driver purposely aimred his car to strike the turtles shell -- cracking it wide open. I thought about going after that jerk, but a trooper came by 5 minutes later and said the best thing I could do was let nature take its course, meaning let it die. I gently pushed it over to the curb and left. When the trooper left, I returned and the turtle had died.
My mother loved turtles. She took care of two of them as pets for many years and they outlived her. So, yes, I am partial to turtles.
And being that turtle season on the beach began May 1, I thought I would share these tips with you, courtesy of Volusia County:
LIGHTING
# Light pollution on nesting beaches is detrimental to sea turtles because it alters critical nocturnal behaviors. Namely, artificial lights affect how sea turtles choose nesting sites, how they return to the sea after nesting, and how hatchlings find the sea after emerging from their nests. When light shines on beaches from buildings, street lights and other urban sources, hatchlings can become misdirected. Instead of natural nighttime illumination leading sea turtle hatchlings to the ocean, artificial light often leaves them unable to find the water and likely to experience high mortality rates from dehydration and predators.
# To ensure that lights are on only when needed, timers and motion-detector switches can be installed. # Interior lighting can be reduced by moving lamps away from windows, drawing blinds after dark, and tinting windows. # Turn off or shield exterior lights to avoid them shining directly onto the beach at night. SEA TURTLE
FAST FACTS
# These ancient creatures have been on Earth for more than 100 million years -- even surviving when the dinosaurs became extinct 65 million years ago. Now sea turtles are on the brink of extinction. All seven species are listed as endangered or threatened and are protected under the Endangered Species Act in the United States. Three of these species, loggerhead, green, and leatherback, nest on the beaches of Volusia County. Sea Turtle nesting season lasts from May 1 to Oct. 31.
# The East Coast of Florida is the second largest nesting site for loggerhead sea turtles in the world. If undisturbed, the female leaves the water (usually at night) and crawls up to the beach to a point well above the high tide line. There, using her rear flippers, she digs an egg chamber cavity about 8 inches in diameter and about 18 inches deep. After resting briefly, she fills the hole with approximately 100 eggs the size of pingpong balls and gently covers them with sand. She then leaves the nest site and reenters the water. Each female will lay an average of 3 nests per season, with about 14 days rest between each nest. Most sea turtles probably do not nest every year, instead opting for biannual migrations.
# Hatchlings ready to emerge from their nest wait just beneath the sand surface until conditions become cool. This temperature cue prompts them to emerge primarily at night, although some have emerged in late afternoon or early morning. It takes hatchlings 2-3 days to dig out of the nest. They usually dig and emerge as a group. Once at the surface, hatchlings orient to the brightest horizon to find the ocean. Unfortunately, artificial lights often confuse hatchlings and cause them to crawl inland, away from the water.
# It is estimated that only 1 in 1,000 to 10, 000 hatchlings will survive to adulthood.
For more information on turtles, go to: www.volusia.org/environmental and www.marinesciencecenter.com
Remember, we in Southeast Volusia are so blessed to be in the midst of these beautiful creatures of God. Please respect the natural habitat of all wildlife, especially these ancient sea creatures who roamed these beaches long before any of us.