Fort Fisher, N.C. (WNCN) – Recent cold temperatures caused six Kemp’s ridley sea turtles to be under the care of the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF) after being cold-stunned.
The six sea turtles arrived at the aquarium on Friday. They’re among the 200-cold stunned sea turtles that have been under the three North Carolina Aquariums care recently.
How do you know when a sea turtle is cold stunned?
Sea turtles will be very weak and inactive when water temperatures are below 50 F (10 C).
“Sea turtles are reptiles and are not able to strictly regulate their body temperature like mammals and birds,” said Stephanie Dwyer, assistant husbandry curator, NCAFF. “Cold-stunned sea turtles become lethargic and eventually are unable to swim causing them to float at the surface or wash up on beaches.”
NCAFF, Pine Knoll Shores (NCAPKS), and Roanoke Island (NCARI) are home to renowned Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation (STAR) Center, which takes care of weak or injured sea turtles.