Aquarium


 * PINE KNOLL SHORES AQUARIUM**




 * What is cold stunning?**

Cold stunning is where a sea turtle swims into extremely cold water and it literally stuns the animal so that it can not turn around and swim into warmer temperatured water. The turtle will become motionless and float on the surface of the water. Floating on top of the water will cause the animal to be vulnerable. Boats that may not see the turtle can run right over them and predators looking for an easy meal can pick them up or eat them right there. The turtles have no way to defend themselves so they are truly helpless at this state.


 * Pictures of Cold Stunned Animals

** A baby turtle was found with cold stunning. One of the flippers is injured which makes it hard for the turtle to be able to swim. The turtle will stay at the Aquarium until the flipper has healed.

Found in the water also with cold stunning. Was sent to the Aquarium in order to get healthier and stronger.

The white stuff attached to the turtle's back are called barnacles. They grown on the turtles back over time. This turtle will stay at the Aquarium until the Aquarium staff have access to a boat to transport this turtle into warm water.







The turtles were kept behind scenes where they could be watched over. There wasn't much room for the turtles in the back so they had to rearrange some of the other animals. The turtles could not go in the same tank because they would bite and injury eachother.
 * Where were the turtles kept?**

On the left there is a tank that is separated. Inside the tank there are two baby sea turtles. The turtles are separated for protection. The one on the left is the one that has its flipper injured. The baby turtle is in a little container so that he won't drown. The turtle on the right is in good health.

The large tank on the right only holds one turtle. Up ahead there are two normal sized tanks which both hold a turtle. The black plastic tub up ahead on the left is where the turtles are put at first. A small amount of water is put into the tub and the turtles can move around inside it. This helps the turtle get used to the water and its easier for the staff to keep a watch on them.

The tanks on the right along the wall are filled with turtles that were brought in with cold stunning. Some of the turtles are ready to be put back into the wild but are stuck here until the staff of the Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium can find a boat to use.