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Green sea turtle hatchling entering the ocean

4 - 8 inches, Atlantic Ocean, Cheloniidae, FL, Florida, Laz Ruda, Lazaro Ruda Wildlife Photographer, MARINE LIFE, Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Reptiles, Reptilia, Sea Turtles: Testudines, TheLivingSea.com, USA, West Palm Beach, baby, baby sea turtle, beach, body - full, disk / oval, endangered, endangered species, green sea turtle: green turtle: Chelonia mydas, hatchling, horizontal, juvenile, marine, ocean, purple, reptile, sand, sunrise, tan, teal, underwater, underwater photo, wide angle, yellow, young

Baby sea turtles, such as this green sea turtle, usually climb out of their sandy nest at night time when they are less likely to be eaten by predators. An average of 100 baby sea turtles emerge from the sand in a coordinated effort. They use numerous cues to locate the ocean such as the natural glow of light on the ocean’s horizon, the beach slope, and some scientist believe, the low frequency sounds produced by the ocean’s crashing waves. Artificial lighting from beachfront property as well as the metropolitan city glow is a major problem for baby sea turtles as it can disorient them into the dunes and nearby city streets. Learn more about baby sea turtles.