A Covid Baby Boom, But Not the One You Expect

Scientists expect a baby boom in Florida as a result of the Covid Pandemic and subsequent lockdown, but it is not what you expect! I recently read an article in NationalGeographic.com where scientists expect a sea turtle baby boom on Florida’s beaches!

While the shutdown has not been great for our state’s beach tourism industry, it has been very beneficial to our wildlife, specifically sea turtles. Loggerheads and green sea turtles, along with four other species, nest all along the Florida coast and with the lockdown keeping people off of beaches, there has been less light pollution, fewer people to distract a sea turtle who is going to lay her eggs, and the turtles’ sandy nests are not being disturbed by beachgoers. Various watch groups throughout the state have reported more successful turtle nesting since the pandemic began, which is great for these endangered sea creatures! If you’d like to learn more, click here.