Cold-Stunning of Florida's Sea Turtles  Low water temperatures
can have a dramatic impact on Florida's sea turtles.  Florida's
shallow bays and estuaries provide important habitats for
threatened and endangered sea turtles. Adults and juveniles of
three species-loggerhead, green and Kemp's ridley-can be found
throughout the year in these salty bodies of water. Green sea
turtles in particular find their primary food, seagrass and
seaweed, here while loggerheads and Kemp's ridleys search for
crabs, mollusks, and other crustaceans.  What causes cold-
stunning of sea turtles? Unlike marine mammals such as dolphins
or manatees, sea turtles cannot keep themselves warm-their body
temperature varies with the surrounding water. As water
temperatures drop in coastal lagoons and bays, many sea turtles
will move through inlets and passes to warmer water offshore or
to the south. A very rapid drop in the air and water temperature
can trap sea turtles in the shallower coastal waters. They can
become inactive, settling close