Tag Archives: loggerhead sea turtle

Cold Stunns

Cold stunned sea turtles are a common occurrence along the gulf coast.  It only takes water temperatures as low as 65 degrees for these cold-blooded creatures to become lethargic, according to Lauren Bell, a marine biologist in sea turtles and aquatic biology at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. “As of now there haven’t been any cold stunned turtles,” she said yesterday evening around sunset.  At the time, the water was hovering just above that critical 65 degree mark.   Because of air temperature in the mid 30s overnight, the water temperature at Pier 60 has fallen to 60°f as of 6:30am, 10 degrees almost overnight.  There is a strong possibility that at least a few lethargic, cold stunned turtles will need rehabilitation this morning.