Figure 3. Body temperatures of leatherback and green sea turtles at decreasing temperatures.
Water
Temperature
25°C
Leatherback
sea turtle
Green
Sea turtio
INCREASING
35°C
25°C
20°C
30°C
20°C
15°C
25°C
°C
DEPTH
10°C*
*Cold-
stunning
begins
°C
°C
5°C*
*Cold-
stunning
is lethal
°C
°C
Questions
1. At what temperature does cold stunning begin in sea turtles?
2. At what temperature is cold stunning lethal for sea turtles?
3. Based on average water temperatures reported in the previous activity, in what
season(s), if any, would cold-stunning a problem for green sea turtles in Long Island
Sound?
4. In what season(s), if any, is cold-stunning a problem for leatherback turtles in Long
Island Sound? Be sure to consult your answers in Figure 3 before answering.
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