Loggerhead Sea Turtles Nesting on Casey Key, Florida

Here on the pristine beaches of Casey Key, Florida, it’s turtle nesting season and we’re anxiously watching the sands for signs of our familiar loggerhead sea turtles who come back to build their nests and deposit their eggs. Mote Marine Laboratory’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program staff and volunteers continue to tag and monitor these wonderful creatures, and it’s interesting to watch the satellite tracking of named turtles such as Bitsy, Chemen, Chompy, Ruth, Wham, and more. Visit Casey Key Loggerheads to see the satellite tracking of our “seasonal” aquatic residents on Casey Key.

We have to remember that people and lights from homes can disorient female turtles; so we do our best to keep things quiet and serene if we spot a loggerhead. Once they arrive, the little hatchlings eventually move to sea at night as protection against predators, and they instinctively move toward the lightest sky. Before development, the lightest sky was over the ocean, with moonlight reflecting on the water. We’re doing our best to help the little loggerheads survive by keeping things dark around here at night.

So where do these hatchlings end up? We wondered, too, so we did a little homework. Here’s what we found out:

“During the first year after hatching, many species of sea turtles are rarely seen. This first year is known as the "lost year." Researchers generally agree that most hatchlings spend their first few years living an oceanic existence before appearing in coastal areas. Although the migratory patterns of the young turtles during the first year has long been a puzzle, most researchers believe that they ride prevailing surface currents, situating themselves in floating seaweed where they are can find food.” (From Busch Gardens fun facts.)

Our sea turtle nesting season adds a spectacular natural dimension to living on Casey Key, Florida, where we enjoy the wildness of the Gulf of Mexico, the beauty of the beach and bay, native plants, palm trees, sea breezes, and ever so glorious sunsets.
To make your nest on Casey Key, or simply to buy or sell your Sarasota real estate, call 800-789-6580 or email Nick Herron or Kathleen Herron with The Herron Group, RE/MAX Alliance Group. We have many lovely, luxury properties including several with the famed beach-to-bay access on Casey Key. We can show you anything from Longboat Key, Siesta Key, Lido Key, and any of the lovely golf course homes in Sarasota, Osprey, Nokomis, Venice, and more.

Beach, Bay or Back Nine…Live the Dream