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Sea turtle hatchlings and artificial lights

Cheloniidae, FL, Florida, Marine Life, Palm Beach County, Reptiles, Reptilia, Sea Turtles: Testudines, Singer Island, USA, United States, West Palm Beach, baby, green sea turtle: green turtle: Chelonia mydas, hatchling, immature, juvenile, marine, ocean, underwater, underwater photo, young

Sea turtle hatchlings, such as this green sea turtle, use the natural light of the horizon to locate the ocean when they emerge from their sandy nest at night. Artificial light from buildings, street lights, and beach goers can disorient these sea turtle hatchlings causing them to crawl in the wrong direction. This particular baby turtle nest hatched during the early morning hours and were able to safely crawl into the ocean.