National Marine Fisheries Service
06/12/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 06/12/2026 09:01
Cold Snaps and Stunned Sea Turtles
As the summer weather starts to heat up, many of us find relief by taking a dip in cool water. But if the water is too cold, we can't tolerate it for long. Did you know that for sea turtles, extremely cold water temperatures can actually be fatal? Sudden cold snaps or intense, prolonged cold-especially during the winter-can be very dangerous for sea turtles. They can suffer a form of hypothermia called cold stunning.
What is Cold Stunning?
Sea turtle are cold-blooded reptiles that depend on the temperature of their surroundings to maintain their body temperature. Sea turtles can normally control their body temperatures by moving between areas of water with different temperatures or basking in the sun at the water's surface or on the beach. However, when temperatures rapidly decline and sea turtles can't find warmer waters, they can become cold stunned.
Cold stunning can be fatal as sea turtles become lethargic, experiencing decreased circulation and slowing of other body functions. Cold-stunned sea turtles are more likely to become sick from prolonged exposure to cold, be injured by predators when they wash ashore, or die as their bodies shut down. They are especially susceptible to cold stunning if water temperatures fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit or if they remain in shallow-water areas that can become very cold as air temperatures drop. This makes strong cold snaps and unseasonably cooler weather serious business for sea turtles.
Who Helps Cold-Stunned Sea Turtles?
NOAA and our partners monitor water temperatures and mount rescues of cold-stunned turtles as we are able. Rescued cold-stunned turtles are taken to partner facilities to recuperate. There, staff and volunteers examine the turtles, give them fluids or antibiotics, and warm them up in heated rooms and tanks. Turtles must be warmed gradually for their safety; increasing their body temperature too quickly could lead to shock or death.
As intake facilities fill up, some sea turtles are transferred for continued care at rehabilitation facilities throughout the East and Gulf coasts and beyond. NOAA works with conservation aviation groups, such as LightHawk and Greater Good Charities , to coordinate especially long transports. Recovery can take anywhere from a few weeks to many months; some turtles may have injuries, illnesses, or infections that need further treatment.
Sea turtles are released as soon as they are fully recovered and conditions are suitable. Sometimes this requires a flight or long drive to areas with appropriate water temperatures. While many survive, we are also learning a great deal from those that don't .
We see annual cold stunning events in three primary areas of the United States, though cold stunning also occurs in other locations around the country and the world.
Massachusetts
In recent years, an average of 770 sea turtles have been found cold-stunned along the Cape Cod Coast in Massachusetts from late October through early January each year. The largest cold stunning event on record in Massachusetts occurred in the winter of 2014-2015. Roughly 1,250 sea turtles washed up on Cape beaches, of which 748 were alive. Mass Audubon's Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary leads local response efforts.
Florida
On the Gulf coast of Florida, cold stunning typically occurs in the panhandle area, primarily in St. Joseph Bay. This excellent habitat for green turtles has wide flats of sea grass for food, but the bay shallow, with land on three sides. This can make can make it difficult for turtles to find their way out when water temperatures drop quickly during cold periods.
Cold stunning also regularly occurs on the Atlantic coast in the Indian River Lagoon complex.
In February 2026, more than 600 turtles, mainly juvenile greens, were rescued after becoming cold-stunned in St. Joseph Bay. Another 200 were rescued from the east coast of Florida. The largest cold stunning event recorded in Florida was in 2010, with more than 4,500 sea turtles rescued within the state. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission leads response efforts to stranded and cold stunned sea turtles in Florida.
Texas
Cold stunning occurs annually along the entire Texas coast. The majority of turtles are typically found in the Upper Laguna Madre and Corpus Christi Bay, which are excellent green turtle habitat. The largest cold stunning event ever recorded in Texas occurred between December 2017 and January 2018. Responders documented more than 13,000 sea turtles, primarily juvenile green turtles. The National Park Service supported response efforts to this large event.
How Can I Help?
When the weather in your area gets chilly, or a strong cold front comes through, remember to:
- Slow down if traveling by boat, particularly in shallow bays and lagoons where cold stunning is most likely to occur
- Report stranded or injured sea turtles , including cold-stunned sea turtles, to your local sea turtle stranding networks
- Support local wildlife response organizations and follow them on social media to stay informed about cold-stun response efforts and needs
- Become a volunteer with your local sea turtle stranding response organization
Rehabilitated sea turtles are loaded into tubs on U.S. Coast Guard vessel for offshore release. Credit: NOAA.
National Marine Fisheries Service published this content on June 12, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 12, 2026 at 15:01 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]