If the temperature has been above 29.5 C, the majority will be females. At temperatures in between, there will be a mixture of sexes. Usually during the cool night, all of the young scramble up through the sand and dash instinctively toward the brightest horizon, which is traditionally the reflection of the moon on the ocean. Scientists believe that some of these small turtles may be caught in ocean currents, ending up in calm areas where seaweed and some small animals collect, like the Sargasso Sea. When older and larger, the turtles may leave the nursery areas to feed in the open water or nearer to the shore.
Most turtles never make it to adulthood.
It is thought that perhaps one out of a thousand lives to reproduce. High tides, beach erosion, and plant roots can destroy a nest. Many predators, such as raccoons, crabs, and foxes eat turtle eggs. Upon hatching, the young turtles face these predators again, as well as sea birds, and may get stuck on the beach and die. Even large females that return to the beach to lay eggs may get stuck or die from exhaustion.