on the beach or in shallow waters. Therefore, sea turtle hatchlings move offshore as an innate behaviour. The first part of the hatchling migration is called the 'frenzy period' which involves almost continuous swimming for the first 24-36 hours.

Orientation and navigation

Studies of loggerhead and leatherback hatchlings have shown that moonlight reflected from the sea is an important visual cue in guiding movement from the beach to the sea. This navigational mechanism becomes a handicap if

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