We are honored to be selected as the Burnt Church Distillery "Give Back Partner" for the month of May 2026. Stop by Burnt Church Distillery on May 24th from 12pm to 5pm to "Sip and Shop" with Sea Turtle Patrol. Burnt Church Distillery, located at 120 Bluffton Rd, Bluffton, SC, is a charming craft distillery...
Sea Turtle Patrol HHI is proud to be the Charity Partner of this year's PALMETTO DUNES TURTLE TROT 5K -- a family-friendly, 5 kilometer run/walk taking place in the beautiful Palmetto Dunes Resort - Hilton Head Island, SC. Bring your friends and family to run or walk on our beautiful, flat, hard, sandy beaches --...
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.