Welcome to the World Turtles

Back in August I posted about a Loggerhead Turtle who laid roughly 200 eggs just a few miles north of us, at the Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware (Sea Turtles near our Beach).  Scientists were hopefully that they would survive, but given our slightly colder northern weather and storms the odds weren't in the baby turtles favor.  Against it all, 6 baby loggerhead turtles hatched last week!  These little guys are amazing.  They've made it through already so much.

In the early fall, the eggs were moved farther inland to escape harm from the encroaching tide.  Then the eggs had to battle through two tropical storms and a very cold snap that came through our area.  In early October scientists moved the eggs once more to a facility with incubators to protect them from the colder weather.  Since October scientists have been hoping for the best, unsure of the final outcome.  Typically, sea turtles take around 60 days to hatch (meaning they were expected in middle October, adding to many of the scientists worry).  Yet, weeks later we now have 6 more turtles that have survived and will be released into the waters. Talk about survival against all odds!

This marks the first time an endangered sea turtle has laid eggs, and the first hatchlings in Delaware! The little guys are around the size of a sand dollar, but will grow to be over 400 pounds.   The baby turtles will be taken to an aquarium in North Carolina where they can be assessed and released into the warmer waters of the Gulf Stream.  The warm waters and current of the Gulf Stream will hopefully assist in their survival.  The remaining eggs will also be taken to the aquarium, in hopes that they might also hatch in their own due time.

Check out the video from Delaware Online - beware extreme cuteness factor!