The Lives of Sea Turtles Observing Turtles in Florida Learn more about these fascinating and ancient creatures, read Sea Turtles, The Watchers' Guide by Timothy O'Keefe. For more information, click below.

it's sea turtle season by m. timothy o'keefe Adult sea turtles are sizable animals: Even the smallest weighs between 200 and 300 pounds while others grow twice this size. The opportunity to closely approach such a large creature on its own grounds, without the slightest danger, is remarkable. To do it when the creature is nesting is extraordinary. You'll find no better place in the world to see nesting sea turtles than Florida's Atlantic beaches. The only other comparable beaches are half a world away, in the Gulf of Oman. photo courtesy of Florida Parks Service An average loggerhead nest contains a clutch of about 100 eggs. The eggs incubate for about 60 days before producing two-inch hatchlings that weigh only 3/5 of an ounce. Turtle hatchlings normally break out of the nest at night. The daytime heat could be fatal to hatchlings, especially if they did not find the sea immediately.