5 Sea Turtle Species Found Around the OBX

By Elaine Lubosch
Apr. 22, 2022

Explore the sea turtles that spend time on the Outer Banks, and the efforts led through the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island to support their care and protection.

The Network for Endangered Sea Turtles, also known as N.E.S.T., began in 1995 through the work of Millie Overman. N.E.S.T. is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused on safeguarding the habitat and migration paths of threatened and endangered sea turtles on the Outer Banks, with its home base at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island.

Five sea turtle species visit and/or nest along the Outer Banks: Loggerhead, Green, Leatherback, Kemp’s Ridley, and Hawksbill sea turtles. Loggerheads are the species most often found nesting here, representing more than half of the nests in a typical season. Species identification can happen in a few ways, including by observing size, coloration, scutes, and scales. A sea turtle’s carapace and plastron—the upper and lower parts of its shell—are formed from multiple scutes. A scute is a bony plate that is part of a turtle's shell.

1. Loggerhead

An adult Loggerhead sea turtle is usually 250 – 400 pounds and may reach 3.5 feet long. The carapace is reddish-brown, and the skin is often a lighter tan or blonde shade. Loggerheads have 5 lateral scutes.

2. Green

An adult Green sea turtle generally weighs 250-450 pounds and can grow to 5 feet long. Its carapace may vary from light brown to dark green or brown, often with vivid stripes and patterns. The skin can appear greenish because Green sea turtles are herbivores. Green sea turtles have 4 lateral scutes.

3. Kemp's Ridley

An adult Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle is under 100 pounds and measures only 2-3 feet long. Its carapace is gray, while its plastron is lighter tan or yellow, and the shell has a very rounded form. Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles have 5 lateral scutes. Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles are listed as “critically endangered”.

4. Hawksbill

An adult Hawksbill sea turtle is typically around 150 pounds and measures 2.5-3 feet long. Its oval-shaped carapace is brown with bright yellow, orange, or reddish striping and markings. Hawksbill sea turtles have 4 lateral scutes that overlap. They are also known for a sharply pointed beak, similar to a hawk’s.

5. Leatherback

An adult Leatherback sea turtle typically weighs 650-1,100 pounds and may measure 5-9 feet long. Its carapace is dark gray or black, and it has no scutes. Leatherbacks are the only sea turtles without a hard shell. Instead, their bodies are covered with very thick, leathery skin and long ridges. The largest documented Leatherback was over 2,000 pounds—about the image of a VW bug resting on the sand.

How N.E.S.T. Protects Sea Turtles

N.E.S.T. supports threatened and endangered sea turtles in many ways. From May until September, ATV riders travel the beach each morning to look for nests. These teams cover about 60 miles of shoreline, from the Virginia-North Carolina border to south Nags Head.

When a nest is located, the ATV rider contacts others, and a nesting response team quickly arrives. Nest responders determine which sea turtle species nested, find the nest, collect an egg for DNA sampling, and mark the area so it can be protected.

After roughly 50-80 days, nest sitters begin spending nights on the beach, watching for hatchlings to emerge. A nest may contain 80-120 eggs, although some nests contain more or fewer. Even with that many eggs, scientists estimate that only 1 hatchling in 1,000 will reach maturity. For a Loggerhead, maturity comes at about 30 years old.

Once hatchlings emerge, N.E.S.T.’s role is to help keep them safe in the most natural way possible as they move from the nest toward the ocean. A few days after hatching, the nest is excavated. This allows the team to count hatched and unhatched eggs, release any live hatchlings still inside, and collect other important data.

Photo Credit: @capehatterasnps

Helping Sick or Injured Sea Turtles

N.E.S.T. also responds to sea turtles that are ill or hurt. Volunteers help care for turtles at the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation Center, or STAR Center, at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island. At any given time, the STAR Center may be caring for multiple sea turtles.

Injuries and conditions can include boat strikes, entanglements, shark bites, fish hook catches, cold stunning, and more. Cold stunning happens in winter, when sea turtles usually move toward warmer water but some remain too long and become hypothermic. N.E.S.T. volunteers search for cold-stunned turtles and transport them to the STAR Center for treatment and rehabilitation.

Along with cold-stunned turtles, N.E.S.T. transports sea turtles with other injuries. The organization also documents turtles found deceased and helps with necropsies when needed.

If You Find a Sea Turtle on the Beach

If you encounter a sea turtle on the beach—whether it appears sick, injured, or nesting—do not touch or disturb it. Sea turtles do not come ashore unless they are nesting or something is wrong. Call N.E.S.T. so a team can respond right away. The hotline number is 252-441-8622. Save it in your phone so it is ready if you ever come across one of these beautiful animals.

Sea Turtle FAQ

What should you do if you find a baby sea turtle on the beach?

If the turtle is sick, injured, or nesting, do not touch or disturb it. Sea turtles do not come onto the beach unless they are nesting or there is a problem. Call N.E.S.T. (Network for Endangered Sea Turtles) so a response team can come help immediately. The hotline number is 252-441-8622.

What time of year do sea turtles hatch in North Carolina?

Sea turtles start coming ashore to lay eggs in May. Eggs take about 50-80 days to hatch, so July-October is among the best windows for seeing sea turtle hatchings.

What sea turtles nest in North Carolina?

There are 5 sea turtle species that visit and nest on the OBX shores of North Carolina: Loggerhead, Green, Leatherback, Kemp’s Ridley, and Hawksbill sea turtles.

Where can I see sea turtles in OBX?

Sea turtles can be seen, and sea turtle conservation can be explored, at the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation (STAR) Center and the interactive Sea Turtle Rescue exhibit at the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island.

During nesting season, marked and roped-off sea turtle nests may be found along the shoreline to protect the eggs.

Author

Elaine Lubosch
Secretary at Network for Endangered Sea Turtles (N.E.S.T.).

Visit the 5 Types of Sea Turtles Found in OBX | Species Guide page →