Nest-to-surf mortality of loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtle hatchlings on Florida’s east coast in 2016

Worldwide, sea turtles are especially vulnerable immediately after emerging from
nests. Many monitoring programs measure hatchling production from nest inventories.
These inventories rarely account for mortality occurring post-emergence, leaving an
incomplete estimate of hatchling production. This study addresses the nest-to-surf data gap
for Florida’s east coast nesting assemblages of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta).
Five locations were surveyed during the 2016 nesting season by using infrared time-lapse
imagery, night vision optics, and track maps. Over all beaches, 7.6% of the observed
hatchlings did not survive to reach the water. Mortality sources varied by location.
Observed predators included: foxes, bobcats, yellow-crowned night herons, ghost crabs,
and gulls. Hatchling disorientation and misorientation occurred more frequently in urban
areas than natural areas. Factors including number of hatchlings emerging, nest-to-surf
distance, and urbanization may help managers estimate nest-to-surf mortality. This study
will improve life history models that serve as foundations of conservation management.