Share the Beach- Alabama's Sea Turtle Conservation Program

06/07/2026

Did you know that sea turtle hatchlings don’t have s*x chromosomes like humans?

Instead, the temperature of the nest during incubation helps determine whether hatchlings are male or female—a process known as Temperature-Dependent S*x Determination (TSD). In general, warmer nests tend to produce more females, while cooler nests tend to produce more males.

Many factors influence nest temperatures, including shade, rainfall, nest depth, sand color, and seasonal weather conditions. That’s why protecting nesting beaches is so important for the future of sea turtles.

**TO REPORT A NESTING, INJURED OR DISTRESSED SEA TURTLE OR HATCHLING, PLEASE CALL
866-Sea-Turtle (866-732-8878)**

06/06/2026

🐢 Why are sea turtles so important?

Sea turtles do much more than nest on our beaches—they help keep our oceans healthy and balanced. From maintaining seagrass beds and supporting coral reefs to controlling jellyfish populations and transporting nutrients to coastal ecosystems, sea turtles play a vital role in marine life.

For more than 100 million years, these ancient mariners have helped shape the oceans we know today. Protecting sea turtles means protecting the health of our entire coastal ecosystem.

Every nest matters. Every hatchling matters. Every turtle matters. 💚

**TO REPORT A NESTING, INJURED OR DISTRESSED SEA TURTLE OR HATCHLING, PLEASE CALL
866-Sea-Turtle (866-732-8878)**

06/05/2026

🐢 Another active week for Alabama’s sea turtles! 🐢

The nesting season continues to stay busy along the Alabama coast. This week alone, our teams documented 7 new Loggerhead nests and 6 false crawls!

A false crawl occurs when a female sea turtle comes ashore but returns to the water without laying eggs. While no nest is left behind, these tracks still provide valuable information about turtle activity in our area.

A huge thank you to our volunteers, patrol teams, and beachgoers who help protect nesting turtles and their future hatchlings.

Remember to:
🌙 Keep beachfront lights off or turtle-friendly at night.
🪑 Remove beach furniture and equipment each evening.
🏖️ Fill in holes and knock down sandcastles before leaving.
🚫 Respect marked nest areas and give sea turtles plenty of space.

To adopt a nest: https://www.joinacf.org/donate

All footage obtained with approval of USF&W under conditions not harmful to this or any other sea turtles
🐢

This work is funded in part with Deepwater Horizon natural resource damage settlement funds provided by the Alabama Trustee Implementation Group.

**TO REPORT A NESTING, INJURED OR DISTRESSED SEA TURTLE OR HATCHLING, PLEASE CALL
866-Sea-Turtle (866-732-8878)**

💙🐢

06/04/2026

🐢 Did you know sea turtle hatchlings start communicating before they even hatch?

From inside their eggs, hatchlings make clicking, peeping, and chirping sounds that can be heard by their siblings through the shells. These tiny vocalizations help synchronize development, encouraging slower-developing hatchlings to catch up so the group can hatch and emerge together.

Why does it matter? Emerging as a group increases their chances of survival as they make their journey from the nest to the Gulf.

**TO REPORT A NESTING, INJURED OR DISTRESSED SEA TURTLE OR HATCHLING, PLEASE CALL
866-Sea-Turtle (866-732-8878)**

06/04/2026

🐢💧 Sea turtles cry—but not because they’re sad! Their “tears” help remove excess salt from their bodies. Nature’s built-in desalination system at work!

**TO REPORT A NESTING, INJURED OR DISTRESSED SEA TURTLE OR HATCHLING, PLEASE CALL
866-Sea-Turtle (866-732-8878)**

06/03/2026

Curious about the sea turtles that nest on Alabama’s coast?

Check out Sea Turtle Talks at The Lodge at Gulf State Park to learn about these incredible marine reptiles and the challenges they face. Discover answers to questions like:

🐢How many species of sea turtles can be found in the Gulf?
🐢How many hatchlings can emerge from a single nest?
🐢What can you do to help protect nesting sea turtles?

Bring your questions and stay for the Q&A session.

06/03/2026

🐢 Did You Know? A group of sea turtles is called a bale!

While that may sound like sea turtles spend lots of time together, they're actually quite solitary animals. Adult sea turtles typically live and travel alone, only gathering in larger numbers in feeding or mating areas.

**TO REPORT A NESTING, INJURED OR DISTRESSED SEA TURTLE OR HATCHLING, PLEASE CALL
866-Sea-Turtle (866-732-8878)**

06/02/2026

💙 The beach gives us unforgettable memories—let’s return the favor by leaving it just as beautiful as we found it.

TO REPORT A NESTING, INJURED OR DISTRESSED SEA TURTLE OR HATCHLING, PLEASE CALL
866-Sea-Turtle (866-732-8878)**

💙 The beach gives us unforgettable memories—let’s return the favor by leaving it just as beautiful as we found it.

TO REPORT A NESTING, INJURED OR DISTRESSED SEA TURTLE OR HATCHLING, PLEASE CALL
866-Sea-Turtle (866-732-8878)**

06/02/2026

🐢 Sea turtles see the world a little differently than we do! Their incredible vision helps them navigate the ocean, find food, avoid danger, and make their way home. 🌊👀

06/01/2026

A balloon release may last a few minutes, but its impact can last for years.

Balloons and ribbons can injure or kill sea turtles, birds, fish, and other wildlife. Let’s celebrate responsibly and protect the animals that call our coast home. 🌊🐢

TO REPORT A NESTING, INJURED OR DISTRESSED SEA TURTLE OR HATCHLING, PLEASE CALL
866-Sea-Turtle (866-732-8878)**