The impact of cold snaps on marine life: Understanding the risks to turtles and manatees

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — This week’s drastic drop in temperatures not only affects us, but all kinds of animals around us, especially marine animals such as sea turtles and manatees.

For marine animals, cold temperatures can cause them to stun and, unfortunately, wash up along the beach or float in the water.

“We really only see about 2% of those stranding events occurring in what you would think of as the cold months, December, January, February,” Jeff Schwenter, a Wildlife Biologist with SCDNR Marine Turtle Conservation Program, explained. “Most of those are animals that were doing just fine until a cold snap hit.”…

Story continues

TRENDING NOW

LATEST LOCAL NEWS