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

Video of the rescue efforts in 2021 by the Texas State Aquarium

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

• Physiology of aquatic reptiles