The embryos develop beneath the sand over a period of 55 to 60 days. During this time they are vulnerable to predation by dogs, cats, rats, and mongoose - predators introduced by people. The developing turtles can also be killed by automobiles driving on the sand, bonfires placed too near the nests, and even beach umbrellas driven into the sand. You can help by seeking shade beneath the trees, keeping cars in parking areas away from the sand, and dogs restrained on leashes. Never leave food scraps or litter on the beach as this attracts predators that will eat sea turtle eggs and hatchlings.

Birds are also frequent visitors to the beach and coastline. Look for the very large Brown Pelican diving into the shallows to fill their expandable pouches with sea water and small fishes. Little Blue Herons and American Oystercatchers hunt small fishes and snails in shallow tide pools. Wilson's Plovers and Least Terns nest on open beaches, their eggs so well camouflaged that they are very hard to see. The adults will give warning if you approach their nest too closely, Least Terns with dive-bomber tactics and Plovers with broken-wing and other distraction displays. If birds exhibit these defensive behaviors move carefully away from the area so that the eggs or chicks are not put at risk.

Trees and other plants growing along the coast help to hold sand in place. The Sea Grape tree is one of the most common coastal plants. The waxy coating of the large round leaves serves to make the tree quite tolerant of salt spray. The clusters of purple fruit are a favorite food of White-crowned and Scaley-naped Pigeons. Haiti-haiti with its heart-shaped leaves and large yellow flowers is also easily recognized. Look beneath the trees for bright red 'love bugs' which are closely associated with this tree and with cotton plants, both in the hibiscus family.

So what makes a sandy beach sandy? In the V.I. sand is made from a mixture of crushed shells, tiny pieces of coral, and the calcium-rich 'skeletons' of marine algae. This is why it is important to "Leave Paradise in its place". Do not remove shells or coral from the beach, they will soon become part of the white sandy beach you so enjoyed.