Heading offshore, the young loggerhead will be released in floating mats of sargassum weed. In addition to being one of the great nurseries in the Atlantic, sargassum plays an important role in the life cycle of loggerhead sea turtles. When baby sea turtles hatch on the Atlantic coast, they swim 20-60 miles until they reach floating mats of algae. It is there that they find shelter and food and live the first few years of their lives.

The partnership formed between Riverbanks and the South Carolina Aquarium assists the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SC DNR) in helping sea turtle hatchlings survive the first critical year of their life. The 10-month-old loggerhead hatched from a nest on Isle of Palms and was raised at Riverbanks.

“Hatchlings are at great risk of predation from other animals, making survivability very low,” said Jennifer Rawlings, Aquarium Supervisor at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. “By assisting SC DNR and rearing these hatchlings we hope to increase their chances for survival.”

“In addition, we hope these hatchlings can serve as ambassadors for their species and help to educate the public about the dangers they face,” said Kelly Thorvalson, Sea Turtle Rescue Program Coordinator for the South Carolina Aquarium.

The juvenile loggerhead is properly conditioned to feed on its own in the ocean. The sargassum habitat is full of small crustaceans, hydroids and other animals that are natural prey items for a turtle of this size. It is within these algae mats that loggerhead turtles are moved by currents to the Azores, among other islands, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. At 10-15 years of age, the loggerheads develop benthic feeding habits and make the long migration to the Southeastern coast of the United States.

A great many hatchlings that leave the beaches after nesting are eaten by predators. These predators include birds, raccoons, ghost crabs, fish and other animals that lurk either on the beach or in the water. Once they reach sub-adult size, natural predators are minimal, although sharks remain a threat. The lifespan of a loggerhead sea turtle is estimated to be around 80 years. Determining the sea turtle population is difficult because females are typically the only sea turtles that come ashore.

“This program is extremely rewarding,” said Rawlings. “By collaborating with the South Carolina Aquarium and the SC DNR, we are all working together to make a positive impact on the sea turtle population.”

All species of sea turtles are currently listed as endangered or threatened. Nesting season for the loggerhead sea turtle, South Carolina’s state reptile, runs from mid-May to mid-August. The average nest has 126 eggs. In South Carolina it is illegal to interfere with a sea turtle or its eggs. The SC DNR has requested that the public report sea turtle sightings by phone at (843) 953-9015 or through their Web site: www.dnr.sc.gov. Volunteer opportunities and other general information on loggerhead sea turtles is also available on SC DNR’s Web site.