Nine, very cold endangered sea turtles were rescued off the coast of Cape Cod this past weekend, and are currently recovering at the New England Aquarium's sea turtle hospital in Quincy.
As autumn turns to winter, water temperatures around Cape Cod cool, which, for these cold-blooded creatures, is dangerous, and can lead to hypothermia. At least, that's what happened with this latest rescued bunch of Kemp's ridley sea turtles.
They were found stranded on the shores of the Outer Cape, which is really no surprise given that November marks the beginning of turtle stranding season, according to the New England Aquarium (NEA). The weekend rescues brought the aquarium's current number of turtles in its care up to 11.
In a typical season, which runs through the end of the year, the Massachusetts Audubon Society and aquarium will rescue about 100 of these small animals. Water in Cape Cod Bay, Cape Cod Today reports, stun sea turtles, and the combination of strong waves and northwest winds push them towards the shore. Turtles feast on the region's crabs and leave once water temperatures drop to make for warmer southern waters. But those that fail to navigate the bay become trapped and are left behind to freeze.
A sea turtle's normal body temperature runs at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 Celsius) whereas hypothermic levels put it at more like 50 Fahrenheit (10 Celsius).
Two years ago, the aquarium took in a record 242 rescued sea turtles, according to NEA spokemann Tony LaCasse. And for Kemp's ridleys, which are an endangered species, they need all the help they can get.
"Our efforts are especially important because of how endangered these turtles are," LaCasse told The Boston Globe. "They're a species in slow but modest recovery."
With a worldwide female nesting population roughly estimated at just 1,000 individuals, the Kemp's ridley turtle is the most endangered sea turtle, according to National Geographic. Though their nesting grounds are protected and commercial fisheries take precautions to avoid accidental catches, this species has had a tough time rebounding.
They are found primarily in the Gulf of Mexico, but also as far north as Nova Scotia.
After receiving treatment, the Kemp's ridleys rescued this weekend will be transferred to the south and released in warmer waters off Georgia or Florida.