Florida beach-goers are being urged to "help hatchlings home by leaving them alone ."
That's what the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is requesting of those who encounter sea turtle hatchlings emerging from nests and clambering toward the water.
From now through the end of October, the hatchlings are breaking out of their eggs, digging out of nests and making their way across beaches to begin their lives in the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico.
The FWC says even though the hatchlings are small and appear helpless, assisting them could cause them to become confused and hurt their chances for survival.