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Turtles, Tortoises and Terrapins

Testudines

Publications

A Guide to Nesting Sea Turtles in Florida

FA235/FA235by Analisa Duran, Ruth Frances-Floyd, Maia Patterson Mcguire, and Iskande LarkinSeptember 23rd, 2021Florida’s coastline provides critical habitat for sea turtle nesting, as it has for millions of years. Throughout the state, three of the seven species of sea turtles in the world have significant nesting populations. Loggerhead, green, and leatherback sea turtles use Florida’s beaches to lay nests each year. This publication provides information on the identification, nesting characteristics, and abundance of each of the common sea turtle species who nest in Florida.

Coastal Armoring Impacts on Beaches and Sea Turtles

FA255/FA255by Melissa Hill, Ray Carthy, and Martha MonroeMarch 17th, 2023Close to 19.6 million people live in Florida, and 76.5% of them, or approximately 15 million, live on the coast. Florida’s coasts are attractive despite the increasing risks from sea-level rise and more frequent climatic events such as hurricanes and coastal flooding. At particular risk from these erosive events are Florida’s 825 miles of sandy beaches. Coastal armoring is a physical barrier placed with the intent of protecting structures from storm, surf, and erosion damage. This publication explains how coastal armoring works and the impacts it has on nearby beaches and sea turtle habitat.

Wildlife of Florida Factsheet: Gopher Tortoise

UW441/WEC396 by Bethany Wight, Raoul K. Boughton, and Martin MainFebruary 21st, 2022A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Organism ID. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Environmental Literacy and Sustainability

Related IFAS Blog Posts

Panhandle Terrapin Project 2023 Report

Rick O'ConnorNovember 14th, 2023Diamondback terrapins are the only resident turtle within brackish water and estuarine systems.  Their range extends from Massachusetts to Texas but, prior to 2005, their existence in the Florida panhandle was undocumented.  The Panhandle Terrapin Project was developed to first determine whether terrapins exist in the panhandle (Phase I) and, if so, what is their […]

Terrapin Season is Upon Us

Rick O'ConnorApril 27th, 2023Since 2007 Florida Sea Grant has worked with partners, and trained volunteers, to assess the status of the diamondback terrapin in the Florida panhandle.  This small emydid turtle is the only one that lives in brackish water and prefers salt marshes.  Very little is known about this turtle in this part of the country, and […]

Finding Rare Animals

Rick O'ConnorJuly 1st, 2022One of the programs I focus on as a Sea Grant Extension Agent in Escambia County is restoring the health of our estuary.  One of the projects in that program is increasing the encounters with estuarine animals that were once common.  Currently I am focused on horseshoe crabs, diamondback terrapins, and bay scallops.  Horseshoe crabs […]

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