INSPIRATION
all phases of the moon. Turtle hatchlings
dig out of their nest at the same time, a
process that can take several days. They
leave the nest as a group at night and
head directly for the sea.
Sea turtles are born with the instinct to
move toward the brightest direction.
On a natural beach, this direction is the
light of the open horizon. Their first trek
“imprints” their home beach into the
hatchlings. Once grown, turtles return
to create their nests on the same beach.
A sea turtle’s average lifespan is from
40 to 60 years, with adults ranging
in weight from the smaller Kemp’s
at approximately 100 pounds to the
leatherback which can reach up to
1,300 pounds.
Only about one in 1,000 turtles sur-
vives to adulthood. Hatchlings die
of dehydration if they don’t make
it to the ocean fast enough. Birds,
crabs and other animals also prey
on young turtles.
waters, including the South Carolina
Aquarium in Charleston, SC.
In partnership with the South Carolina
Department of Natural Resources
(SCDNR), the South Carolina Aquar-
ium Sea Turtle Care Center works to
rescue, rehabilitate and release sea
turtles that become stranded along the
South Carolina coast. Located in the
Aquarium, the Care Center admits 20
to 30 sea turtles each year. Many of
these animals are in critical condition.
According to SCDNR, during the past
10 years, the average number of sea tur-
tles stranded on South Carolina beaches
each year is 128. Of these, roughly 10
percent are alive and successfully trans-
ported to the Sea Turtle Care Center. To
date, the South Carolina Aquarium has
successfully rehabilitated and released
249 sea turtles.
Given the stable year-round tempera-
tures in the Sunshine State, the Florida
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commis-
sion and other local organizations often
partner with groups looking to release
rehabilitated turtles into warmer
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