Message from the Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch
Much has been revealed about sea turtle nesting behavior with the Northern Recovery Unit Genetic Research program. It has always been believed that once a female sea turtle finds a nesting beach, she is loyal to that beach. From our genetic research, we have found that to be somewhat true. The 2023 nesting season has brought back some familiar turtles to Amelia Island. One turtle in particular is a turtle called Nubby. She nested on Amelia Island 3 years ago in 2020 and now again in 2023. Nubby got her name from her unique track. She has a damaged left rear flipper.
Normal loggerheads crawl with an alternating gait. Since loggerheads have shorter front flippers, the marks observed in the sand are from their rear flippers. The alternating gait reveals a zigzag pattern in the sand.
Nubby’s tracks, on the other hand, are very unique. The damage to her rear left flipper could have been caused by various traumas. Since it takes 25-30 years for a female sea turtle to become reproductive, the anomaly could have occurred as a juvenile. She could have been attacked by a larger fish or perhaps she became entangled in discarded fishing gear. At any rate, we recognize this female as a recurring turtle to Amelia Island. She definitely shows site fidelity to our special habitat. She was responsible for several nests in 2020 and so far she has laid 3 nests on Amelia Island in 2023. With a 3 year remigration, we will look for her to come back in 2026.
-Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer