Hatchling Traps

Holes on the beach — we dig them. But we frequently don’t fill them in when we leave the beach. Instead they are left open and become HATCHLING TRAPS.

(not a nest -- an open hole near sand castle)

These photos were taken by Cindy B near 503 East Arctic. Nest #2 had hatchling tracks leading toward the ocean. Cindy followed the tracks toward a large sand castle and found 5 hatchlings trapped in a hole nearby.

They had successfully left their nest deep in the sand only to fall into the open hole. Who knows how long they had been there, wasting the energy they need to swim to the Gulf Stream.

Thanks to Cindy, these hatchlings were rescued and were able to crawl into the ocean. Without her, it’s likely they would have died from being trapped in a simple hole on the beach.

Hatching season has just started on Folly. Now is the time to take an extra few minutes and think of the hatchlings that crawl across the sand to reach the ocean. THEIR SURVIVAL DEPENDS ON YOU.

Please remember: if you dig it, FILL IT UP. And even if you didn’t dig it, please help out and fill it up — you’ll be a HATCHLING HERO.