![]() The number of cold stunned green sea turtles found along the South Texas coast has increased significantly in recent years, likely for two reasons. Rescued cold stunned sea turtles rest and wait for transportation to rehabilitation facilities. If the winter is very mild, there may be few to no cold stunned turtles, but if there are several severe cold fronts over a short period of time with each one lasting several days, hundreds to even thousands of turtles may strand.įor more information about cold stunned events and to view videos, please visit our The number of cold stunned sea turtles that strand varies from year to year depending on the number of turtles in the area and on the number, frequency, duration, and severity of cold weather events. If they have other illnesses or injuries, they can rehabilitate until they are ready for release. Once area waters have risen to safe temperatures and the individual turtles have recovered from hypothermia, they are released back into the wild. Without their contributions and expertise, many cold stunned sea turtles would not survive.Ĭold stunned sea turtles are not held in captivity any longer than necessary. These partners have the permits and facilities needed to care for and rehabilitate sea turtles. Sea turtles rescued during cold stunning events are taken to our Turtle Laboratory for documentation and are then transported to specially designated, temporary holding facilities operated by partner organizations. Padre Island National Seashore does not have the facilities needed to house and care for live stranded sea turtles. Other federal agencies, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations are essential partners who play major roles in this effort every year. Our staff and volunteers take a leading role in proactively searching for and rescuing cold stunned sea turtles by patrolling the Laguna Madre on foot and by boat. As a result, sea turtles swimming in those waters may not have enough time to navigate out of Laguna Madre and into the deeper, warmer waters of the Gulf of Mexico before becoming cold stunned. The shallow water here can change temperature rapidly, especially when a strong cold front passes through the area. Most of the cold stunned sea turtles that the Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery rescues are found in inshore waters and shorelines along the bays and inlets of the Laguna Madre, which borders the park to the west. If not rescued quickly, these defenseless animals often die of shock, predation, or trauma due to boat strike. They float up to the surface and become vulnerable to boat strikes or wash ashore and become stranded. If water temperatures drop below approximately 50☏ (10☌), sea turtles become lethargic and are unable to swim. Like all reptiles, sea turtles are ectothermic (cold-blooded) and cannot regulate their body temperature. ![]() A cold stunned sea turtle is one that has become hypothermic due to severe cold weather.
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