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Turtles, Tortoises and Terrapins

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Testudines

Publications

Wildlife of Florida Factsheet: Gopher Tortoise

Bethany Wight, Raoul K. Boughton, and Martin Main

A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Organism ID. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Environmental Literacy and Sustainability

thumbnail for publication: A Guide to Nesting Sea Turtles in Florida

A Guide to Nesting Sea Turtles in Florida

Analisa Duran, Ruth Frances-Floyd, Maia Patterson Mcguire, and Iskande Larkin

Florida’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

Melissa Hill, Ray Carthy, and Martha Monroe

Close 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.