104 
David S. Lee and William M. Palmer 
Carolina waters, but this one was considerably larger than that. The date 
seems early for a tropical or subtropical species to be in this area, particu- 
larly since the turtle was not in the warmer (24^ C) waters of the Gulf 
Stream. 
Lepidochelys kempi (Garman). Atlantic Ridley 
On 7 November 1977, an adult male was observed swimming at the 
surface, 4 to 5 miles (6.5 to 8 km) south of “the Point” (35^25',74^55'). 
The animal was close enough that five barnacles could be counted on its 
carapace, and their diameters estimated at about 50 mm. Schwartz (1977) 
stated that this species once was common at Beaufort, Carteret County, 
but in recent years is known only from eight specimens captured between 
July 1970 and August 1974 in Core Sound and North River, Carteret 
County. Our record is the first known offshore occurrence and the only 
fall sighting of this turtle for North Carolina. Surface water temperature 
recorded when the turtle was sighted was 19® C. Although this reading is 
above the 13.0® C at which Schwartz (1978) reported the species to 
exhibit sluggish floating behavior, this individual appeared somewhat 
sluggish. However, Lazell (1980) reported that November is a major 
activity period in New England, when water temperatures are 7® to 10® C. 
Additional North Carolina records not included by Schwartz (1977) 
are: NCSM 15116 — dead on beach. Pea Island, Dare County, 20 April 
1975; 215 mm carapace length; left front flipper missing and parts of shell 
badly scarred. NCSM 16721 — apparently drowned in gill net. Cape Fear 
River at Zeke’s Island, 2.25 mi. (3.6 km) southwest of Fort Fisher, 
Brunswick County, 2 June 1976; 383 mm carapace length. 
Caretta caretta caretta (Linnaeus). Atlantic Loggerhead 
In warmer months loggerheads tend to stay within a mile or two of 
shore, and they probably also occur throughout North Carolina’s exten- 
sive sounds. Although individuals were occasionally encountered far off- 
shore, including in the Gulf Stream, most of our June-September sight- 
ings were made within a few miles of the beach. Between 1 June 1979 and 
1 December 1979, 1440 individuals were sighted from planes by personnel 
of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission during 225-250 hours of 
flight time over the Atlantic between the Virginia and South Carolina 
state lines. Some individuals may have been incorrectly identified from 
the air, but we have no doubt that the vast majority were Caretta. In this 
same area and time period, 324 nests were recorded on North Carolina 
beaches (multiple sources). Guy Oliver of Avon, North Carolina, also 
