HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (WSAV) — Hilton Head Island’s 100th loggerhead turtle nest was discovered Wednesday morning by the HHI Sea Turtle Patrol at Palmetto Dunes. Two more nests were found since then. This is a big step up from this time last year when 79 nests had been discovered. A total of 204 nests…
Today Show host Craig Melvin was surprised live on air with a sea turtle nest dedicated by the Chamber and Sea Turtle Patrol in honor of the Melvin family’s love for all things Hilton Head Island and the great memories they’ve made here on vacation. Check out the clip from the Today Show here: https://www.today.com/today/amp-video/mmvo241251397893…
A green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) encountered around Hilton Head Island represents one of the world’s largest hard‑shelled marine reptiles, known for their herbivorous diet and reliance on warm, shallow coastal habitats. Although loggerheads dominate South Carolina nesting activity, juvenile green turtles forage in the region’s estuaries, where seagrass and algae provide essential nutrition. Like all reptiles, green turtles are ectothermic, meaning their body temperature depends on the surrounding water. When sudden winter cold fronts push water temperatures below roughly 50°F (10°C), turtles can experience cold‑stunning, a hypothermic state in which they become lethargic, lose the ability to swim, and may float to the surface or wash ashore. Cold‑stunned turtles are vulnerable to drowning, boat strikes, and predation, and require rapid rescue to prevent secondary complications such as pneumonia or shock. Conservation groups along the Southeast coast monitor for these events, as even a single cold snap can impact multiple species—including green turtles—within the island’s interconnected marshes and tidal creeks. Understanding cold‑stunning helps highlight how sensitive sea turtles are to temperature shifts and why protecting their habitats is essential for long‑term survival.
