Cold-stunning

Cold-stunning, also known as hypothermic stunning, is a hypothermic reaction experienced by marine reptiles, notably sea turtles, when exposed to cold water for prolonged periods, which causes them to become weak and inactive. Cold-stunned sea turtles may float to the surface and be further exposed to cold temperatures, which can cause them to drown.[1] A water temperature threshold of 8[2]–10 °C[3] has been associated with mass turtle stunning events. After cold-stunning has taken place, there is only a very short period of time when sea turtles can be safely rescued.[4]

Two rescued cold-stunned turtles

One study indicates that ocean warming has led to an increase in cold-stunning events in the northwest Atlantic.[5]

Notable instances

In 2016, 1,700 turtles were cold-stunned in North Carolina, following "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 has been called the largest cold-stunning event to be documented in the state.[8]

See also

References
  1. "Cold-Stunning and Sea Turtles – Frequently Asked Questions". NOAA Fisheries. 2021-02-11. Retrieved 2021-02-19.
  2. 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.
  3. "Cold Stunned Sea Turtles". U.S. National Park Service. Retrieved 2021-02-19.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Daly, Natasha (2021-02-19). "Nearly 5,000 sea turtles rescued from freezing waters on Texas island". National Geographic. Retrieved 2021-02-19.
  8. DeSantis, Rachel; Aradillas, Elaine (2021-02-18). "Local Sea Turtle Expert Calls 'Cold-Stunning' Event the 'Largest' That's Been Documented in Texas". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 2021-02-19.
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