As per information sea turtles nested in the highest numbers in 10 years in South Florida this season. But hazards on land — both natural and human — wasted the efforts of many female turtles to continue this ancient reproductive ritual. The unusually hot, dry weather of early summer led to many nest failures, either by causing the dry sand to cave in or by ruining the eggs with heat.
The fast life of city disorient many hatchlings, causing them to crawl inland, where they got caught in storm drains, run over in parking lots or became prey for birds and raccoons. Last year loggerhead turtles dug 2,565 nests in Broward County in 2010, representing an increase of 641 from the previous year, with the highest density found in Hillsboro Beach, followed by Pompano Beach.
Experts said that Florida is particularly important for loggerhead turtles, which weigh an average of 275 pounds, travel thousands of miles in the course of a year and feed on jellyfish, squid, clams, crabs, corals and sponges. No one knows why nesting rebounded after years of stagnation and decline.
