Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

1997

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Salmon, Michael

Abstract

The beaches of Boca Raton, Florida serve as a rookery site for three species of sea turtles, all of whom are considered either federally threatened (loggerhead) or endangered (green turtle, leatherback). At this beach, nest security was though to be compromised by both human visitors and increasing mammalian predators populations. Since 1988, the City has employed the use of square wire cages to protect the nests from both factors. Cage effectiveness was questioned due to high predation rates, despite caging. Evaluations to determine the effectiveness of this method were conducted. Pairs of caged (control) and uncaged (experimental) nests were established in zones reflecting high/low traffic and high/low predator attacks and monitored on a daily basis. Following emergence, nest fate comparisons were made. Decoy cages were used to determine predator efficiency. Data suggest that cages are not needed in areas of low traffic or predator attacks. Additional data suggest that cages actually attract, rather than deter, mammalian predators.

Extent

63 p.

Comments

Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1997.|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1997.

Identifier

FADT15441

Format

pdf

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