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<p>Cold-stunning is a well-established hypothermic condition in sea turtles associated with exposure to low water temperatures. However, the effects of cold air exposure on post-emergent sea turtle hatchlings crawling from their nest to the ocean remain poorly documented. This report documents the first case of terrestrial cold-stunning in the peer-reviewed literature. Here, we use the term terrestrial cold-stunning to describe prolonged cold-induced immobility in sea turtle hatchlings following emergence onto the nesting beach, resulting in mortality or requiring intervention. On 11 November 2025, following a cold snap in Florida (USA), 335 green sea turtle hatchlings (<i>Chelonia mydas</i>) exhibiting terrestrial cold-stunning were encountered along a 4-km stretch of the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, central east Florida (between 28.026666/-80.537448 and 27.99272/-80.52031). Hatchlings were collected under permitted protocols and gradually rewarmed; 68.7% (<i>n</i> = 230) survived and were released following recovery. Concurrent reports from multiple locations along Florida’s coasts indicate that similar events occurred across the region. These findings demonstrate that cold air exposure can impair hatchling mobility prior to ocean entry and indicate that late-season nesting by adult females may increase the likelihood of terrestrial cold-stunning in hatchlings emerging during episodic cold snaps.</p>

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First documented case of terrestrial cold-stunning in post-emergent sea turtle hatchlings during a cold snap

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月23日

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  • Ashlee B. Harris,
  • Cheryl L. Sanchez,
  • Brooke E. Rossman,
  • Simona A. Ceriani

摘要

Cold-stunning is a well-established hypothermic condition in sea turtles associated with exposure to low water temperatures. However, the effects of cold air exposure on post-emergent sea turtle hatchlings crawling from their nest to the ocean remain poorly documented. This report documents the first case of terrestrial cold-stunning in the peer-reviewed literature. Here, we use the term terrestrial cold-stunning to describe prolonged cold-induced immobility in sea turtle hatchlings following emergence onto the nesting beach, resulting in mortality or requiring intervention. On 11 November 2025, following a cold snap in Florida (USA), 335 green sea turtle hatchlings (Chelonia mydas) exhibiting terrestrial cold-stunning were encountered along a 4-km stretch of the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, central east Florida (between 28.026666/-80.537448 and 27.99272/-80.52031). Hatchlings were collected under permitted protocols and gradually rewarmed; 68.7% (n = 230) survived and were released following recovery. Concurrent reports from multiple locations along Florida’s coasts indicate that similar events occurred across the region. These findings demonstrate that cold air exposure can impair hatchling mobility prior to ocean entry and indicate that late-season nesting by adult females may increase the likelihood of terrestrial cold-stunning in hatchlings emerging during episodic cold snaps.