Rare Leatherback 'Worm' Nests in Daylight on Juno Beach

Researchers say daytime nesting is unusual for the endangered species.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 5:08pm

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A bold, abstract painting in earthy tones of green, blue, and brown, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals, conceptually representing the intricate life cycle and migratory patterns of the leatherback sea turtle.A rare daytime nesting event by an endangered leatherback sea turtle offers researchers valuable insights into the complex lives of these marine reptiles.Juno Beach Today

A rare leatherback sea turtle nicknamed 'Worm' was filmed nesting in broad daylight on Juno Beach in Palm Beach County, Florida. Loggerhead Marinelife Center officials say daytime nesting is highly unusual for leatherbacks, which typically come ashore under cover of darkness to reduce risks from predators and overheating.

Why it matters

Leatherback sea turtles are an endangered species, and researchers closely monitor their nesting activities to better understand and protect the population. This rare daytime nesting event provides valuable data and highlights the importance of local conservation efforts and public vigilance in documenting and safeguarding these turtles.

The details

Worm, a relatively small adult leatherback estimated at 600 pounds, was filmed methodically digging her nest, covering it, and then returning to the ocean. Loggerhead Marinelife Center staff were able to quickly document the unusual daytime crawl, as the organization runs a long-term leatherback monitoring project in the area. Florida Leatherbacks Inc., a nonprofit that conducts mark-recapture and tagging work on leatherbacks, had previously documented Worm on March 4.

  • Worm was first documented by Florida Leatherbacks Inc. on March 4, 2026.
  • Worm was filmed nesting in daylight on Juno Beach on April 15, 2026.

The players

Loggerhead Marinelife Center

A nonprofit organization that runs a long-term leatherback monitoring project covering beaches from Jupiter Inlet to MacArthur Beach in Palm Beach County, Florida.

Florida Leatherbacks Inc.

A nonprofit organization that conducts mark-recapture and tagging work on leatherback sea turtles in Palm Beach and Martin counties, Florida.

Worm

A relatively small adult leatherback sea turtle, estimated to weigh around 600 pounds, that was filmed nesting in daylight on Juno Beach.

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What they’re saying

“Leatherback sea turtles usually stick to the night shift when it comes to nesting. Coming ashore under cover of darkness helps reduce the risk of predators and overheating.”

— Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

What’s next

Researchers plan to continue tracking Worm and other leatherbacks through permitted surveys and tagging as nesting season continues. Loggerhead Marinelife Center says it will share updates as more data on Worm and her fellow leatherbacks come in.

The takeaway

This rare daytime nesting event by the endangered leatherback sea turtle 'Worm' highlights the importance of local conservation efforts and public vigilance in documenting and protecting these vulnerable animals. The data collected will help researchers better understand leatherback behavior and inform efforts to safeguard the species.