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Sea turtle nesting season started early this year on Florida's east coast.
"We actually have already documented four leatherback nests. So our first leatherback nest actually showed up on February 20th."
That's nine days early, since the season officially started March 1st.
But out of the 80 or so eggs that will result from each nest, just 50 to 60 percent of them are likely to produce hatchlings.
Then, Loggerhead Marinelife Center researcher Sarah Hirsch says the odds are against those baby turtles getting to the water safely.
"We estimate that only about one in 1,000 to one in 10,000 hatchlings will actually survive until adulthood."
Dehydration on the way to the water is one common cause of death. The other?
"Almost anything with a mouth bigger than the size of the palm of your hand will scoop up those hatchlings."
If you're heading to the beach this weekend, you're asked to clean up after yourself and knock down any sandcastles. Also, don't mess with any nests you may find.
Nesting season gets underway on Florida's Gulf Coast in May, when the loggerheads start showing up. Season ends statewide on October 31.