 The heat retention of shells and the proximity to the Atlantic Ocean maintains warmer temperatures than surrounding areas.Currently called the Turtle mound it has had several names throughout history including Surruque in the 16th century named after the cacique (chief) and Indian tribe that lived in the area, Mount Belvedere (1769), The Rock (1769), Mount Tucker (1796), and Turtle Mount (1823).In 1605, the Spanish explorer Alvaro Mexia visited the site and reported natives launching their dugout canoes at the mound's base.