As temperatures drop, be on the lookout for cold-stunned sea turtles

As the temperatures on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands drop in the winter months, cold-stunned sea turtles begin to make an appearance along the soundside beaches.

As cold-blooded reptiles, a sea turtle’s body temperature closely matches that of their environment. When water temperatures dip under 50 degrees Fahrenheit for multiple days, these turtles become lethargic, float along the surface to have easier access to air, and many of their body systems slow down.

This cold-stunned scenario can turn deadly, as once in an immobile and lethargic state, the sea turtles can have difficulty raising their heads above water to breathe, and can eventually drown.

When a cold-stunning event occurs, the sea turtles are also naturally blown to a local shoreline or even spotted in the shallow Pamlico Sound waters. This situation usually requires medical attention, as infections in the lungs, damage to organs and GI tract, eye injuries, and frostbite are possible.

With these circumstances in mind, local volunteers from the Network for Endangered Sea Turtles (N.E.S.T.) regularly monitor the Hatteras Island shorelines after a cold spell, looking for cold-stunned sea turtles in need of assistance.

The volunteers primarily search for stranded turtles along the soundside, covering private property in the villages and areas that are not routinely patrolled by the National Park Service.

Some of the turtles found in Frisco in early December 2024. Photo by Stacey Saunders.

After braving the cold conditions, the volunteers meet at a staging site, where turtles are measured and labeled before hitching a ride to the STAR Center at the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island where more N.E.S.T. volunteers are waiting.

The number of sea turtles rescued can vary greatly from year to year. Last winter (2024–2025) was a record-breaking season for cold-stunned sea turtles on the Outer Banks: nearly 800 sea turtles were rescued within just a few weeks.

With a bout of cold temperatures expected this week, beachgoers along the sound and oceanfront are advised to keep a lookout for sea turtles over the days and weeks to come.

How You Can Help:

If you spot a sea turtle on land this time of year, please call one of the stranding hotlines with your location.