Comments on: Why did the turtle cross the beach? http://www.on-stjohn.com/2008/05/17/why-did-the-turtle-cross-the-beach/ News, Muse and Reviews Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:12:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.5 by: Cruzan Insight http://www.on-stjohn.com/2008/05/17/why-did-the-turtle-cross-the-beach/#comment-8931 Sun, 18 May 2008 19:10:30 +0000 http://www.on-stjohn.com/2008/05/17/why-did-the-turtle-cross-the-beach/#comment-8931 I do not suspect that big swells caused disorientation - turtles are certainly used to all kinds of sea conditions and they are antanomically made for the ocean! The reason this turtle became disoriented is most likely due to inappropriate coastal lighting. First, there should be a vegetation barrier maintained between coastal homes and beaches. Additionally, if you can see your lights from the beach, there's a good chance they will negatively impact nesting turtles and hatchlings. There are a number of methods to keep beaches turtle-safe and to keep homes well-lighted and safe for people at the same time. Lights can be turned off, shielded, or redirected downward. There is tons of info online on how to make your lights turtle-safe. I've seen hatchlings disoriented by lights and end up squashed in parking lots or roads, eaten by mongoose, fire ants, cats, cooked by the sun the next day, etc. . . Also have seen adult females lost in the bush, run over in the road, stuck in fences and attacked by dogs. I'm glad that this endangered species returned to the sea and hope that you can work with your neighbors to help keep your beach safe for turtles! I do not suspect that big swells caused disorientation - turtles are certainly used to all kinds of sea conditions and they are antanomically made for the ocean! The reason this turtle became disoriented is most likely due to inappropriate coastal lighting. First, there should be a vegetation barrier maintained between coastal homes and beaches. Additionally, if you can see your lights from the beach, there’s a good chance they will negatively impact nesting turtles and hatchlings. There are a number of methods to keep beaches turtle-safe and to keep homes well-lighted and safe for people at the same time. Lights can be turned off, shielded, or redirected downward. There is tons of info online on how to make your lights turtle-safe. I’ve seen hatchlings disoriented by lights and end up squashed in parking lots or roads, eaten by mongoose, fire ants, cats, cooked by the sun the next day, etc. . . Also have seen adult females lost in the bush, run over in the road, stuck in fences and attacked by dogs. I’m glad that this endangered species returned to the sea and hope that you can work with your neighbors to help keep your beach safe for turtles!

]]> by: CA Girl http://www.on-stjohn.com/2008/05/17/why-did-the-turtle-cross-the-beach/#comment-8922 Sun, 18 May 2008 04:37:13 +0000 http://www.on-stjohn.com/2008/05/17/why-did-the-turtle-cross-the-beach/#comment-8922 That's so cool! How convenient that they have a saltwater pool for wayward turtles! That’s so cool! How convenient that they have a saltwater pool for wayward turtles!

]]> by: Lynn http://www.on-stjohn.com/2008/05/17/why-did-the-turtle-cross-the-beach/#comment-8920 Sun, 18 May 2008 03:07:02 +0000 http://www.on-stjohn.com/2008/05/17/why-did-the-turtle-cross-the-beach/#comment-8920 Great story, great photos! That turtle has some class checking into Peter Bay :) Great story, great photos! That turtle has some class checking into Peter Bay :)

]]> by: pam http://www.on-stjohn.com/2008/05/17/why-did-the-turtle-cross-the-beach/#comment-8919 Sun, 18 May 2008 00:17:02 +0000 http://www.on-stjohn.com/2008/05/17/why-did-the-turtle-cross-the-beach/#comment-8919 No problem Linda. I'm glad you explained. I thought you were a rabid fan fussing at me for making a KC joke. :) No problem Linda. I’m glad you explained. I thought you were a rabid fan fussing at me for making a KC joke. :)

]]> by: linda http://www.on-stjohn.com/2008/05/17/why-did-the-turtle-cross-the-beach/#comment-8917 Sat, 17 May 2008 19:08:06 +0000 http://www.on-stjohn.com/2008/05/17/why-did-the-turtle-cross-the-beach/#comment-8917 oops............. so sorry Pam....didn't realize you beat me to a Kenny Chesney joke!!!!! oops………….
so sorry Pam….didn’t realize you beat me to a Kenny Chesney joke!!!!!

]]> by: SteveV http://www.on-stjohn.com/2008/05/17/why-did-the-turtle-cross-the-beach/#comment-8916 Sat, 17 May 2008 19:01:13 +0000 http://www.on-stjohn.com/2008/05/17/why-did-the-turtle-cross-the-beach/#comment-8916 FANTASTIC!!!!! How far is the pool from the beach?? Did she have to travel far to get to the pool?I'd think after laying 100+ eggs the female turtle is allowed to have some quiet "me" time!!!! FANTASTIC!!!!! How far is the pool from the beach?? Did she have to travel far to get to the pool?I’d think after laying 100+ eggs the female turtle is allowed to have some quiet “me” time!!!!

]]> by: xislandgirl http://www.on-stjohn.com/2008/05/17/why-did-the-turtle-cross-the-beach/#comment-8915 Sat, 17 May 2008 17:49:33 +0000 http://www.on-stjohn.com/2008/05/17/why-did-the-turtle-cross-the-beach/#comment-8915 Great story. Andy and Joy are great people, I am not surprised the turtle picked their house. Great story. Andy and Joy are great people, I am not surprised the turtle picked their house.

]]> by: linda http://www.on-stjohn.com/2008/05/17/why-did-the-turtle-cross-the-beach/#comment-8914 Sat, 17 May 2008 17:39:46 +0000 http://www.on-stjohn.com/2008/05/17/why-did-the-turtle-cross-the-beach/#comment-8914 what a GREAT story..... and PLEASE don't suggest that the turtle was lookin' for Kenny Chesney !!!!!!.....I really LOVE the stone tile around the pool..... what a GREAT story…..
and PLEASE don’t suggest that the turtle was lookin’ for Kenny Chesney !!!!!!…..I really LOVE the stone tile around the pool…..

]]> by: Laura http://www.on-stjohn.com/2008/05/17/why-did-the-turtle-cross-the-beach/#comment-8913 Sat, 17 May 2008 17:37:27 +0000 http://www.on-stjohn.com/2008/05/17/why-did-the-turtle-cross-the-beach/#comment-8913 You brought tears to my eyes! That is great!!! :) You brought tears to my eyes! That is great!!! :)

]]> by: Ruth http://www.on-stjohn.com/2008/05/17/why-did-the-turtle-cross-the-beach/#comment-8912 Sat, 17 May 2008 17:19:44 +0000 http://www.on-stjohn.com/2008/05/17/why-did-the-turtle-cross-the-beach/#comment-8912 We don't want turtles that taste good, we want turtles with taste. We don’t want turtles that taste good, we want turtles with taste.

]]> by: Carrie http://www.on-stjohn.com/2008/05/17/why-did-the-turtle-cross-the-beach/#comment-8911 Sat, 17 May 2008 16:32:08 +0000 http://www.on-stjohn.com/2008/05/17/why-did-the-turtle-cross-the-beach/#comment-8911 Too funny! My girls are going to love those pictures. Not too shabby a landing for a confused turtle. Too funny! My girls are going to love those pictures. Not too shabby a landing for a confused turtle.

]]> by: Rob http://www.on-stjohn.com/2008/05/17/why-did-the-turtle-cross-the-beach/#comment-8910 Sat, 17 May 2008 14:28:58 +0000 http://www.on-stjohn.com/2008/05/17/why-did-the-turtle-cross-the-beach/#comment-8910 We find the occasional frog in our pool but that's it. I'd say that if I found a sea turtle in our pool I'd be more than a little shocked. Pretty cool though We find the occasional frog in our pool but that’s it. I’d say that if I found a sea turtle in our pool I’d be more than a little shocked.

Pretty cool though

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