Researchers with Loggerhead Marinelife Center have documented what they say is the first known olive ridley sea turtle nest in Florida, after spotting the rare turtle nesting on Jupiter Beach on May 18.
The turtle, named “Tini,” came ashore in an area more commonly used by loggerhead, leatherback, and green sea turtles. Olive ridleys are typically associated with nesting beaches in the southern Atlantic, including Brazil, Trinidad, Suriname, and Gabon, according to the center.
“Our team had been on the lookout for our usual third species of nesting turtles, green turtles, when this small and distinctive turtle came ashore to nest,” said Dr. Justin Perrault, vice president of research at Loggerhead Marinelife Center.
Olive ridleys are among the smallest sea turtle species and are known for their olive-green, heart-shaped shells. They are also famous for two nesting strategies: solitary nesting and the “arribada,” a mass nesting event in which thousands of females come ashore at once.
Researchers said Tini’s appearance outside the species’ typical nesting range could be tied to several factors, including warming ocean temperatures, population growth, or fishing-related entanglement that may passively transport injured turtles into Florida waters.
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Loggerhead Marinelife Center submitted data from the nesting event to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which oversees sea turtle conservation and permitting in the state.
The center plans to collect genetic samples from the nest after it hatches and will monitor whether Tini returns to local beaches to nest again this season. Loggerhead Marinelife Center is a Juno Beach nonprofit focused on sea turtle research, rehabilitation, education, and conservation.