Green Sea Turtle Populations on the Rise in Florida
- 10 years ago
Green sea turtle populations are reportedly on the rise, with more turtle eggs laid this year on the beaches of Florida than in previous years.
Green sea turtle populations are reportedly on the rise, with more turtle eggs laid this year on the beaches of Florida than in previous years.
The turtles were placed on the endangered species list in 1978, after population sizes were diminished from over hunting practices and other environmental factors.
Conservation efforts have reportedly paid off, with experts from the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge counting a total of 35 thousand green sea turtle nests this year, where there were only 62 nests in 1979 according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Female sea turtles lay their eggs on many sandy beaches in Florida during the spring season each year.
They lay their eggs at night by burying them in the sand, where they hatch around 2 months later.
The turtles feed on sea grass, and adult sea turtles can weigh over 400 pounds.
But the animals can take from 20 to 30 years to reach maturity and lay eggs, which is why some experts think it took so long to see the results of conservation efforts after the turtles were put on the endangered species list.
Green sea turtle populations are reportedly on the rise, with more turtle eggs laid this year on the beaches of Florida than in previous years.
The turtles were placed on the endangered species list in 1978, after population sizes were diminished from over hunting practices and other environmental factors.
Conservation efforts have reportedly paid off, with experts from the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge counting a total of 35 thousand green sea turtle nests this year, where there were only 62 nests in 1979 according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Female sea turtles lay their eggs on many sandy beaches in Florida during the spring season each year.
They lay their eggs at night by burying them in the sand, where they hatch around 2 months later.
The turtles feed on sea grass, and adult sea turtles can weigh over 400 pounds.
But the animals can take from 20 to 30 years to reach maturity and lay eggs, which is why some experts think it took so long to see the results of conservation efforts after the turtles were put on the endangered species list.