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A Guide to Nesting Sea Turtles in Florida

, Ruth Francis-Floyd, Maia McGuire, andIskande Larkin


Release Date: 10/27/2024

Natural Resources

Abstract

Florida’s coastline provides critical habitat for sea turtle nesting, as it has for millions of years. Throughout the state, three of the seven species of sea turtles in the world have significant nesting populations. Loggerhead, green, and leatherback sea turtles use Florida’s beaches to lay nests each year. This publication provides information on the identification, nesting characteristics, and abundance of each of the common sea turtle species who nest in Florida.

About this Publication

This document is FA235, one of a series of the School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date June 2021. Revised July 2024. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

Authors

Analisa Duran
Analisa Duran

former graduate student, UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, Gainesville, FL

Ruth Francis-Floyd
Ruth Francis-Floyd
Specialist
University of Florida

professor and UF/IFAS Extension veterinarian, UF College of Veterinary Medicine and School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program

Maia McGuire
Maia McGuire
Specialist
University of Florida

associate program leader and Extension agent IV, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL

Iskande Larkin
Iskande Larkin
Specialist
University of Florida

senior lecturer, education coordinator, and director, Aquatic Animal Health Program, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL

Publication #FA235

Peer Reviewed
General Public