Sunday, November 2, 2008

Sea Turtles and Cold Shock

With the first real cold snap, endangered Kemp's Ridley, Green and Leatherback sea turtles wash up on the shores of Cape Cod Bay in significant numbers. When the water reaches 50 degrees, these sub-tropical creatures, which drifted north with the Gulf Stream in the summer, go into "cold shock." Still alive but comatose, they eventually wash up on bay beaches and they would freeze to death if humans didn't help.
Read how dedicated volunteers help with their rescue.

2 comments:

Snowbird said...

That is pretty amazing. I would love to be one of those volunteers even it if did mean winter coats and mittens. Just the chance to help all those turtles would be so worth it.

MariBy said...

Hats off to the volunteers that walk those cold beaches (maybe in the dark!) at that time of year. I love beaches, but not the cold windy ones...brrr!