Green (Chelonia mydas)
Stranding Location: Hilton Head Island, SC
Arrival Date: 1/11/25
Age: Juvenile
Sex: Unknown
Weight: 2.88 kg (6.35 lbs)
Case History
Hydrangea, a juvenile green sea turtle, was found stranded and cold stunned near the Harbour Towne Golf Course by a local citizen. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources quickly dispatched one of their permitted volunteers to pick up the chilly sea turtle and transport her/him to the Aquarium for shelter and treatment. Hydrangea was the third cold-stunned sea turtle we admitted within a week!
Treatment
Due to the chill, Hydrangea was pretty quiet during transport and arrival at the Sea Turtle Care Center™. Hydrangea’s internal body temperature was 48 degrees Fahrenheit, and her/his heart rate had slowed to six beats per minute. Hydrangea was given fluids and vitamins for hydration, and was placed in a bin with a damp towel overnight to stay moist and slowly warm up in a temperature-controlled room. Hydrangea’s body condition was adequate, with some abrasions on the plastron (bottom shell) and epibiota (algae and barnacles) on the carapace (top shell), but there were no notable injuries or external concerns. Radiographs depicted signs of pneumonia and a small area of osteomyelitis (bone infection) in one of the rear flippers, which will be further investigated once Hydrangea has warmed up properly. For now, Hydrangea can relax in a safe environment for the night in our surgical suite.
Updates
January 13, 2025: Over the next couple of days, Hydrangea has started to warm up and become more active. The day after admit, Hydrangea remained in the dry-dock bin with periodic internal temperature checks as we slowly raised the temperature in the surgical suite throughout the day. Hydrangea’s heart rate bumped up to 20 beats per minute, and s/he was showing more activity as well as getting some much-needed rest. By day three, Hydrangea was warm enough to receive antibiotic treatments and be placed in a half-tank of refreshing 70 degrees F water! Hydrangea adjusted quickly, presenting a calm and active behavior and was able to rest on the bottom comfortably. S/he will have the day to rest in the new surroundings and will be offered a small bit of protein tomorrow to test for appetite. Here’s to hoping Hydrangea is on the way to feeling well again soon!
February 15, 2025: Hydrangea has gained an appetite, and with it has grown strong! That being said, Hydrangea is a super picky eater and refuses to eat any lettuce or veggies. Hopefully, over the next month we will have more luck!