Ecology and nest-site selection of leatherback turtles Dermochelys coriacea

Leatherback turtles Dermochelys coriacea often nest in places where their eggs are destroyed by high tides. Poor nest-site selection ranges from <2·5% in Malaysia to around 40% in the Guianas and appears to be related to beach topography. In the Guianas sparse tree lines and lagoons on the landward side of the nesting areas make sea-finding by the hatchlings more difficult if nests are dug too far away from the sea. It is suggested that, faced with the predicament of not nesting too near the water and not testing too far back from it, leatherbacks have adopted a scatter nesting strategy that ensures that at least some of their nests will be appropriately sited. Relocating poorly sited nests poses certain problems for conservation programmes.