TURTLES 



Eight to fourteen turtles were sighted per survey (Table 1). Sightings included 45 

 (78%) loggerheads ( Caretta caretta ), 10 (17%) unidentified species, and single sightings of 

 a green turtle (Chelonia mydas ), a leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea ), and an Atlantic 

 ridley ( Lepidochelys kempi ). Sightings were most frequent near freshwater sources in 

 Collier County (Fakahatchee Pass) and Monroe County (Shark River-Whitewater Bay 

 outlet). A total of 30 sets of probable turtle tracks were sighted on coastal beaches 

 during the July survey. The majority of the tracks were in Charlotte (13), Sarasota (8), 

 and Hillsborough (5) Counties. All were in sparsely populated areas. Turtle tracks were 

 not sighted during other surveys. The significance of the turtle sightings is difficult to 

 assess, but indicates that oil spills and increased boat traffic associated with OCS 

 development could impact endangered and threatened sea turtles in nearshore areas. The 

 decrease in unidentified turtles on late surveys (Table 1) suggests that identification 

 efficiency increased as observers became more experienced. 



CROCODILES 



A single crocodile (Crocodilus sp.), an estimated 2.5 to 3 m long, was observed on 

 a bank of the Broad River in ENP on 8 November 1979. The animal was later confirmed 

 to be a crocodile (not Alligator mississippiensis ) from photographs, although the species 

 could not be determined. The American crocodile (C_. acutus ) occurs in the southeastern 

 ENP, but the range in southwestern Florida is unclear (Moore 1953b, Ogden 1978). 



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