A Guide to Tybee Wildlife
Tybee Island is uniquely positioned on the Georgia coast and home to a variety of marine and amphibious wildlife. The animals that live on Tybee contribute to the island’s appeal. Between dolphin charters, beach sweeping tours, and organizations like the Tybee Island Marine Science Center, there are plenty of opportunities to interact with local wildlife. If you’re interested in learning about the beloved creatures that reside on our beautiful barrier isle, here’s a brief guide to Tybee wildlife.
Loggerhead Sea Turtles
Distinctive for their remarkably large heads and sizable build, loggerhead sea turtles are commonly sighted on Tybee’s shores during their nesting season from May to October. These big bodied reptiles are the largest hard-shelled turtle, growing up to 3.5 feet long and weighing anywhere from 400 to 1,000 pounds. Loggerheads can live as long as 80 years. During the nesting season, female loggerheads can lay as many as 125 eggs in clutches throughout the island’s shores. To protect their eggs during incubation, mothers will dig large holes and bury their eggs there. On Tybee, officials mark off these nests to prevent human interference, giving the hatchlings the best chance of survival. Unfortunately, loggerheads are a federally endangered species. Commercial fishing operations remain the greatest threat to the species. The Tybee Sea Turtle Project is a conservation effort that works to preserve the lives of loggerheads on Tybee. You can do your part by removing beach litter, avoiding use of bright lights on the beach, and observing any turtles you may encounter from a distance.
Shorebirds
Each year, the East Coast welcomes more than 300,000 shorebirds escaping colder temperatures from places as far as Canada, Alaska and even South America. Tybee is the prime destination for several species of shorebirds during their spring and summer migrations. Common avian life include snowy egrets, black-bellied plovers and ruddy turnstones, among others. With winter on the horizon, more migratory birds will be flocking to the Tybee. Be sure to visit Tybee’s birding trails to see what flying friends you might encounter.
Horseshoe Crabs
Horseshoe crabs are commonly spotted on Tybee’s beaches typically during their mating season between May and June. Just this past year, hundreds of horseshoe crabs gathered on Tybee’s south end for their annual spawning. Shorebirds rely on horseshoe crab eggs as a vital food source during their migrations. Beyond providing food to migratory birds, horseshoe crabs also provide shelter and stability to coastal invertebrates like barnacles and sponges.
Bottlenose Dolphins
Dolphins leaping energetically through the air are a common sight amid the waters surrounding Tybee. There are currently about 25 to 50 bottlenose dolphins that reside in local waterways. These playful and intelligent mammals can be seen on eco tours or dolphin charters, and they really love to play in the wakes of vessels traversing the Atlantic. Book a tour with Captain Derek to see these cute cetaceans in their natural habitat.
