by Rachel Overmeyer, GSTC Rehabilitation Program Manager
Each winter, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC) welcomes a wave of cold-stunned sea turtles—reptiles that have experienced a dangerous drop in body temperature due to frigid waters. These turtles, mostly juveniles, arrive lethargic and in need of urgent care.
Despite what you might expect, colder weather doesn’t mean fewer patients. In fact, it often means more. Cold stunning is the reptilian version of hypothermia, and it occurs when water temperatures dip below 50°F. Sea turtles, being ectothermic, rely on their environment to regulate body heat. When the ocean gets too cold, they become sluggish, float to the surface, and eventually strand.
The road to recovery begins with careful exams, blood work, fluid therapy, and a gradual warming process—raising body temperatures just 5°F per day. Once they reach 75°F, they can begin eating and receiving medications. If all goes well, they’re released back into the wild when the waters warm up.
And now, you can be part of their journey.
🌊 Take the Plunge for a Purpose
Get ready for the Georgia Sea Turtle Center Cold-Stunned Plunge—a chilly, cheerful event where brave souls dive into the Atlantic to raise awareness and funds for sea turtle rehabilitation. Whether you’re plunging in person or virtually, or cheering from the shore, your support helps fuel the mission of the GSTC and the Jekyll Island Foundation, which provides vital funding for turtle care, education, and conservation.
So grab your swimsuit and join the plunge! Learn more about the Cold-Stunned Plunge HERE!
