Welcome to DeBordieu & Hobcaw S.C.U.T.E.
About S.C.U.T.E.
S.C.U.T.E. is a volunteer organization under the direction of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. We are dedicated to the preservation of sea turtles along the South Carolina coast. Click below or scroll down to our view mission to learn more
How you Can Help
There are many ways you can help in the conservation of South Carolina sea turtles. Simply educating yourself is the most important contribution you can make
Volunteers
S.C.U.T.E. depends on our volunteers! We’re always looking for enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers. If your interested in learning more then click below.
Meet the Crew
We work hard to ensure the safety of threatened loggerhead sea turtles along the South Carolina Coast. Meet some of the S.C.U.T.E. volunteers at DeBordieu & Hobcaw beaches to see what we do.
About S.C.U.T.E.
Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) nest on South Carolina beaches May through October. S.C.U.T.E., which stands for South Carolina United Turtle Enthusiasts, is one of 31 volunteer sea turtle protection projects along our coastline under the direction of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The 60 mile S.C.U.T.E. area stretches from North Inlet in Georgetown County to North Myrtle Beach in Horry County. DeBordieu and Hobcaw beaches typically account for 40-50% of the nests in this area.
Volunteers walk at sunrise during nesting season looking for the large turtle tracks leading from the ocean to the dunes and back. When tracks are found, clues are used to determine the nest area. Using pool cues or T bars, volunteers probe the sand to locate the soft area of the egg chamber. An average nest of 120 ping pong size eggs may need to be moved if the clutch is laid below the spring tide line or in the scarp of a dune. Nests are covered with a plastic mesh, staked to protect it from predators and a sign is posted with the nesting date.
At about 50 days of incubation, volunteers begin to look for a depression in the nest indicating hatching activity beneath. When a nest hatches, usually at about 55-60 days, hatchlings make a mad dash to the ocean following the phosphorescence of the waves as long as they are not lead astray by onshore lighting.
When a nest hatches, SCDNR requires us to wait 3 nights so as to give all hatchlings a chance to exit the nest. We then conduct a nest inventory and dig out the contents to determine the success of the nest. Inventory date, time and location are posted on the website. At the inventory, a volunteer tells visitors about the procedure and printed information is handed out. The nest contents are dug out and data is recorded. Sometimes live hatchlings are found in the nest that were not able to emerge on their own. Volunteers put the hatchlings on the beach and let them crawl to the ocean and ‘imprint’. At maturity, 25-30 years, female loggerheads will generally return to the beach of their birth to nest. However, recent DNA studies show some turtles will nest many miles from where they hatched.
Peace Sotheby’s International Realty kindly sponsors DeBordieu & Hobcaw S.C.U.T.E. Follow us here on the DeBordieu & Hobcaw S.C.U.T.E. website to stay informed with the latest news. You can also find links, references, photos and learn about the SC Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital.
the latest news from S.C.U.T.E.
North false crawl
North: Pat found a U turn false crawl below the high tide line just north of #9mm. She marked it with 5 reeds although they will likely be washed away. Hopefully this turtle will try again tonight. DEB 0 HOB 0 SCUTE 1 SC 94
False crawl at Pawleys Inlet
North: Carolyn, joined this morning by new volunteers, Laura and Bob, had a crawl at Pawleys Inlet. There was no difference in crawl length and no body pit. Laura and Bob got some got some good probing experience before Carolyn decided it was a false crawl. Pawleys reported their first nest on the south end! […]
Nesting to our south…
Nesting season is off to a slow start in South Carolina with all nests laid south of us. There are currently 19 nests. The closest nests are on South and Sand Islands which are just south of Winyah Bay.
DeBordieu & Hobcaw season to begin Thursday, May 17
Volunteers will begin daily surveys Thursday. There are currently 5 nests in SC all south of Georgetown County. Ocean temperatures are making a slow but steady rise so the turtles can’t be far behind!
SC Turtle Season has begun!
The first nest in South Carolina was laid on Tuesday, May 8 at Daufuskie Island in Beaufort County. This is the first time in many years the first nest has been south of Charleston. Here at DeBordieu & Hobcaw S.C.U.T.E., we will begin our daily surveys when nesting occurs north of Charleston. It shouldn’t be […]
Turtle Season Preparation
DeBordieu & Hobcaw SCUTE volunteers are preparing for Turtle Season 2018 with anticipation of another great year! We are getting our backpacks stocked, dusting off our probes, putting out nest supplies on the beach and replacing lost mile markers. SCDNR tells us we may have a late start to the season because of the cool […]
Want to learn More?
DNR & Other Resources
S.C.U.T.E. is a volunteer turtle protection project under the direction of the South Carolina Department
of Natural Resources. Click below to learn more about DNR along with other affiliates such as the SC Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital.
Serving the Community
We take pride in serving the DeBordieu & Hobcow community. From morning beach walks to live inventories, our passion is to inform the public
You can Make a Difference
Want to help? You can make a donation through the South Carolina Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital.
DeBordieu & Hobcaw S.C.U.T.E. is sponsored by:
