Happy Belated Hatch Date to these ~100 Loggerhead Sea turtles, who hatched and made their way to the ocean last Friday night. The incredible event was seen live by viewers of the Florida Keys streaming “Turtle Cam” and, thankfully, recorded for the rest of us to see.

Bon Voyage, little ones!

Read more about the cool camera being used to protect the hatchlings below and click the link and check out on the Turtle Cam’s website. 

(Source: Fla-Keys.com TurtleCam)

Friday, July 25, about 100, 3-inch-long loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings made their way from the nest to the ocean’s edge just before 9 p.m. (ET)

Using infrared lighting, a live-streaming, high-definition “turtle webcam” positioned on a beach in the Florida Keys recorded the hatch.

The camera uses infrared lighting so hatchlings won’t be confused by artificial light and will go to sea – guided by moonlight reflecting on the water — instead of pushing further onto land.

The webcam is part of ongoing efforts in the Florida Keys to raise awareness of sea turtles and the need to protect them.

Loggerhead, green, leatherback, hawksbill and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles nest on beaches in the Florida Keys and other parts of Florida, or inhabit Florida and Keys waters. All five species are considered either threatened or endangered.

From mid-April through October each year, these turtles crawl ashore at night to dig their nests and lay eggs. A female turtle typically lays about 100 eggs and covers them with sand before returning to the water, leaving the nest alone.

Approximately two months later, the hatchlings struggle free of the nest and rush toward the sea, guided by moonlight reflecting off open water.

Any artificial light, including flashlights and flash cameras, can disturb and disorient the turtles, interrupting the natural process. Laws prohibit people from touching or disturbing hatchlings, nests and nesting turtles.

dream-likestasis:

COME SUPPORT THE ARTIST!!!!!…. Community mural is now being done at the Lacombe Family Pharmacy… All cash donations/ paint supplies are gladly appreciated and are going towards helping the artist of the non profit orgainization of the “Art Will Make You Smart” summer program. This can only only be finished with the help and support of the community… Thank you!! #support #lacombe #community #art #crab #turtle #snake #louisiana #sttammany (at Lacombe Family Pharmacy)

This is incredible! 

An African Spur Thigh #Tortoise, resident of GarLyn Zoo, is said to have “inadvertently assisted” in Carlos the Aligator’s Escape Thursday!

We can’t say for sure, but there are some serious Shawshank Redemption undertones about this story… Also, this big guy looks pretty pleased with himself. 

(Via AssociatedPress & Petoskeynews.com)

NAUBINWAY (AP) — An owner of a zoo in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula says a 12-inch alligator has escaped, possibly with some help from a tortoise.

TV stations WWTV-WWUP and WPBN-WTOM reports the alligator named Carlos got out of an enclosure over the weekend at the GarLyn Zoo near Naubinway. He was spotted by people nearby, who called police, but he wasn’t caught.

Gary Moore, who runs the zoo in Mackinac County with his wife, says he suspects the alligator slipped underneath a fence. Moore says a large tortoise that walks in the area, wearing away dirt, likely was an inadvertent accomplice in Carlos’ getaway.

GarLyn Zoo is home to about 100 animals, including two adult alligators. Anyone who spots Carlos is asked to contact police or the zoo.