Sea turtle hatchlings start out life with only an estimated 1 out of 1,000 hatchlings making it into adulthood. Sea turtles usually hatch at night for protection against predators and the harsh sun. Once they hatch, the tiny turtles find their way to the ocean by reflections from the moon on the water. There is a myriad of circumstances that work against their journey into the ocean – natural predators such as fish, seabirds, crabs, and even raccoons enjoy snacking on sea turtle hatchlings.
Another big risk for sea turtles is improper lighting alongside oceanfront areas. Bright lights too close to pockets of hatchlings cause the turtles to become disoriented and wander inland, thereby lowering their chances of survival. Turtle-friendly solar lights are used in places such as along the coastline in Florida, where they experience larger concentrations of sea turtle deaths due to bright roadway and area lighting. Amber solar lights are used successfully in the nesting areas to ensure that the sea turtle hatchlings are not attracted to surrounding roads.