In the winter of 2022-2023, an abnormally large number of turtles washed up on the shores of Great Britain and Ireland. In this respect informs Natural History Museum.
Experts counted a total of 16 animals, including 15 endangered caretta caretta turtles and the Atlantic Riley. Only four of them survived, stranded. “Mostly teenagers or traumatized adults,” said Rod Penrose, head of marine monitoring.
Although the reasons for the observed phenomenon cannot be fully explained, it is thought that stormy weather and strong currents forced the animals into cold water. The most common species in British waters is the leatherback turtle, the largest living species and the only turtle with a boneless shell. They are usually seen in summer and autumn when they migrate to cold waters near England in search of jellyfish.
Leatherbacks tolerate cold water well, as they can control heat loss. They swim faster in colder waters to stay warm and reduce blood flow to exposed areas to keep them warm.
Other turtles cannot do this, meaning they cannot safely visit the British Isles. Rare species, such as Atlantic ridges, are often caught in cold currents after they have been lost during their first migration or have been deflected by currents and weather.
These turtles are “stunned” by the cold when they enter water below 10 degrees, which causes them to become lethargic and move less and less. They lose their ability to swim and drift until they finally hit the shore.
Stranded without outside help, these turtles begin to starve and freeze, which often leads to death.