The icy water has killed hundreds of sea turtles around Cape Cod. Wildlife officials say the turtles are dying or being paralyzed due to "cold stun ." This occurs when tropical reptiles are trapped in cold waters. Since they depend on external heat for their bodies to function , their systems shut down preventing them from swimming, leaving them at the mercy of currents, reaching the shore and deep waters where they can freeze to death.
The Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary in Massachusetts says 2018 is the second most severe season of cold stun since the turtle rescue program began in the early 1980s.
