Cold-stunning, also known as hypothermic stunning, is a hypothermic reaction experienced by marine reptiles, especially sea turtles, after prolonged exposure to cold water. Affected animals become weak and inactive. Cold-stunned sea turtles may float to the surface, where further exposure to cold temperatures can cause them to drown.1 Water temperatures of 8–10 °C have been associated with mass turtle-stunning events.23 Rescue is time-sensitive after cold-stunning occurs.4
One study indicates that ocean warming has increased cold-stunning events affecting Kemp's ridley sea turtles in the northwest Atlantic.5
Notable instances
In 2016, 1,700 turtles were cold-stunned in North Carolina after "an unusually temperate fall and early winter".6
In 2021, nearly 5,000 cold-stunned turtles were rescued in Texas during a winter storm.7 It was described as the largest cold-stunning event documented in the state.8
References
References
- "Cold-Stunning and Sea Turtles - Frequently Asked Questions". NOAA Fisheries. 2021-02-11. Retrieved 2021-02-19.
- Shaver, Donna J.; Tissot, Philippe E.; Streich, Mary M.; Walker, Jennifer Shelby; Rubio, Cynthia; Amos, Anthony F.; George, Jeffrey A. & Pasawicz, Michelle R. (2017-03-17). "Hypothermic stunning of green sea turtles in a western Gulf of Mexico foraging habitat". PLOS ONE. 12 (3) e0173920. Bibcode:2017PLoSO..1273920S. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0173920. PMC 5357020. PMID 28306747.
- "Cold Stunned Sea Turtles". U.S. National Park Service. Retrieved 2021-02-19.
- Roberts, Kelsey; Collins, Jennifer; Paxton, Charles H.; Hardy, Robert & Downs, Joni (2014-04-07). "Weather patterns associated with green turtle hypothermic stunning events in St. Joseph Bay and Mosquito Lagoon, Florida". Physical Geography. 35 (2): 134–150. doi:10.1080/02723646.2014.898573. S2CID 140671808.
- Griffin, Lucas P.; Griffin, Curtice R.; Finn, John T.; Prescott, Robert L.; Faherty, Mark; Still, Brett M. & Danylchuk, Andy J. (2019-01-29). "Warming seas increase cold-stunning events for Kemp's ridley sea turtles in the northwest Atlantic". PLOS ONE. 14 (1) e0211503. Bibcode:2019PLoSO..1411503G. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0211503. PMC 6350998. PMID 30695074.
- Christiansen, Emily F. Finn; Harms, Craig A.; Godfrey, Matthew H. & Finn, Sarah A. (2016). 2016 North Carolina Sea Turtle Cold Stunning Event. 47th Annual International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine (IAAAM) Meeting & Conference. Virginia Beach, VA.
- Daly, Natasha (2021-02-19). "Nearly 5,000 sea turtles rescued from freezing waters on Texas island". National Geographic. Archived from the original on February 19, 2021. Retrieved 2021-02-19.
- DeSantis, Rachel; Aradillas, Elaine (2021-02-18). "Local Sea Turtle Expert Calls 'Cold-Stunning' Event the 'Largest' That's Been Documented in Texas". People. Retrieved 2021-02-19.