Southwest Florida Shelling

08/28/2026

These are the most beautiful “shells” in our area if you ask me. Watching over these little ones as they hit the water is one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. Want to learn more or get involved? Contact SCCF for information and opportunities!

This activity was conducted by trained individuals operating under Marine Turtle Permit No.047

08/27/2026

These little ones hit the water and just keep swimming until they get to deeper water and can find a patch of seaweed to float in for protection. They can swim for up to 24 hours straight! This activity was conducted by trained individuals operating under Marine Turtle Permit No.047

08/26/2026

In 2023, our sea turtle team tagged a loggerhead sea turtle that we named after the late and great Dolly Parton. This year, Dolly Parton the sea turtle returned to Sanibel and laid three nests. So far, her nests have produced 108 hatchlings that have made their journey to the ocean.

Although we mourn the loss of this great country legend and environmentalist, her legacy will continue to live on through our important conservation research and monitoring.

*Photo taken using red light during research activities permitted by FWC MTP 270.

08/26/2026

Sea turtle hatchlings with SCCF
If I'm still doing this when one of these comes back to nest, I think it would only be right to name her Dolly Parton the II. This activity was conducted by trained individuals operating under Marine Turtle Permit No.047

08/26/2026

It was a huge morning for my sea turtle shift! Tons of 3 day post hatch and 70 day nest inventories. Even helped a few hatchlings make their way to the Gulf! I feel truly blessed every time I get to experience baby sea turtles. Can’t thank the sea turtle volunteer program at SCCF enough for letting me live out my dream as a kid! This activity was conducted by trained individuals operating under Marine Turtle Permit No.047

08/17/2026

Gotta love a good cone! Found this beautiful Alphabet Cone (Conus spurius) at Tarpon Bay Beach the other day. So beautiful! #

08/13/2026

They are so freaking close to the overall record too!!!

SCCF’s sea turtle team reports that the new loggerhead (Caretta caretta) nesting record on Sanibel continues to rise as nesting winds down on the island. Sanibel’s loggerhead count has reached…

07/31/2026

Have you ever spotted one of these on the beach?

This is Calappa flammea, better known as the Flame Box Crab or Shame Faced Crab! Believe it or not, they’re out shell hunting just like us… except they're looking for dinner!

They have highly specialized, heavy duty claws that work just like a can opener to chip away at live shells and get to the soft insides. They get the nickname "shame faced" because when they pull their massive claws tight against their body, it completely hides their face! It looks really cute and cool, but it’s actually a brilliant built in shield!

You can spot them close to shore anywhere from the Western Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, down through the Caribbean, all the way to Suriname.