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.
Inventory results – Hobcaw hatch!
Hobcaw: Brandie found the major hatch of HOB42 6/27 (52 days) just south #16mm. She counted 70+ tracks that all went straight to the ocean…a beautiful sight! Inventory results: HOB38 natural 6/25 north #5mm Hatch success: 65% with 13 hatchlings released! Brandie released the hatchlings in batches – a lot to keep track of! https://youtu.be/yZF4m3rxNMQ […]
Inventory results
Middle: Tonight we did the inventory of DEB39 relocated 6/26 north WW#6 with a group of 30+. Team: Donna, Duane, Walter Turtle Talk: Bob C. Hatch success: 77.2% with no live hatchlings released
Hobcaw nest – Inventory tonight at 6:00 p.m.*!
We always hope nesting will end by Aug. 15 because later nests take longer to incubate as days are shorter/nights cooler going into fall. But…there was a nest on Hobcaw today! North: Bob B. had this report: Inventory results: DEB28 natural 6/16 north #14mm Hatch success: 37.4% very deep with lots of rootsDEB31 natural 6/17 […]
Results of 3 inventories – Inventory Fri. at 6:00 p.m.
North Inventory results: DEB33 natural 6/19 south #7mm (postponed last night due to rain) Hatch success: 76.5% with 3 hatchlings released into the sunrise over a calm ocean Middle: Friday inventory at 6:00 p.m. DEB39 relocated 6/26 north WW#6 Hobcaw: Susan had this report: HOB38 natural 6/25 (51 days) north #5mm Big Hatch – 50+ […]
Inventory of DEB33 at 6:00 p.m. canceled
Due to the weather, tonight’s 6:00 inventory of DEB33, just south of the North Access Rd., will be canceled. The Thursday team will do the inventory in the morning.
Results of 3 morning inventories – Inventories tonight & Fri. at 6:00 p.m.!
During this busy nesting season, we are doing inventories in the morning for our remote nests. North: Pat O. and Pat St. had this report: Inventory results: DEB29 natural 6/16 south #10mm Hatch success: 86.7% with 2 lively hatchlings DEB21 natural 6/8 south #11mm Hatch success: 97.3% with no hatchlings Inventory tonight at 6:00 p.m.: […]
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:
