As the nests near hatching, they are checked nightly by Turtle Watch volunteers who try to release the turtles at the nest site. Any disoriented turtles are released on a nearby dark beach where they can find their own way to the water. Biologists believe that imprinting may occur during their short crawl to the gulf. The surviving females will return to Panama City Beach to nest when they reach maturity in 20 to 30 years. Biologists have learned that the number of females produced by the nests is determined by the temperature at which the eggs are incubated.
F produce mostly females and lower temperatures produce mostly males.
Our white beaches reflect the sun's heat, keeping the sand cool and possibly producing more male hatchlings.