Massive mats of sargassum seaweed along Florida’s beaches are slowing sea turtle hatchlings on their crawl to the ocean, increasing their risk from predators and overheating. A study by Florida Atlantic University found that leatherback, loggerhead, and green turtle hatchlings took up to 175% longer to cross dense seaweed, often flipping onto their backs in the process. Despite the delays, hatchlings’ energy reserves remained stable, suggesting that the danger lies in the extended exposure on the beach. As sargassum mats grow taller and more widespread, researchers warn that they could increasingly threaten hatchling survival and long-term turtle conservation.
