Description
The embryonic development of sea turtles is strongly influenced by the environmental factors experienced during incubation within the nest. These environmental factors can influence hatchling sex ratios, body condition, and their success emerging from nests. Adult female sea turtles lay nests across a range of sites throughout the nesting season, resulting in each nest encountering unique abiotic conditions. This study aims to identify how variation in sand characteristics, such as grain size proportions, permeability, and color, influences nest temperature and subsequent hatchling outcomes of Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) and Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) from nests across multiple beaches in west-central Florida. Grain size proportions were significantly different between nesting beaches and species, and were a strong predictor of average nest temperature. The average nest temperature, specifically during the middle third of incubation, significantly impacted the proportion of female hatchlings within a nest. In contrast, surface temperature changes, sand color, and permeability were not significant in affecting nest temperature. Collectively, these findings suggest that differences in substrate grain size proportions contribute to variation in nest temperatures and the resulting turtle sex ratios, while other abiotic factors have a lesser influence. Understanding which abiotic factors and their effect on nest temperatures is critical for predicting nest outcomes and improving management strategies for these threatened marine turtle species.
Publication Date
4-15-2026
Thesis Advisor
Stephen Mullin
Thesis Committee
Brook Fluker, Jake Lasala, Carmen Williams
Degree Name
BS, Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation
Expected Graduation
5-2026
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Naylor, Thomas, "Evaluating Sand Characteristics and Their Influence on Sea Turtle Nest Incubation Conditions" (2026). Honors Theses. 6.
https://arch.astate.edu/honors-thesis/6
