Texas is experiencing a record sea turtle nesting season, and now wildlife officials are responding to an unexpected side effect: a rise in baby sea turtles washing up on beaches. The stranded turtles may be the result of recent storms and rough surf ...

"With that classification comes regulation around sea turtle response, intake, treatment, and release," said Wendy Knight, CEO of Sea Turtle Inc., a rescue and rehabilitation center on South Padre Island. "The intent of that protection is so that trained ...

Sea turtles are ectothermic, meaning they rely on their surrounding environment to regulate body temperature. When water temperatures fall quickly, especially in shallow bays, turtles can become cold-stunned. In this state, they lose the ability to swim and eat, leaving them vulnerable to boat strikes, predators and death.

Kemp's ridley sea turtles, the most endangered sea turtle species, will nest on Texas beaches from April through mid-summer. Beach drivers on Padre Island National Seashore should be cautious during nesting season, as the speed limit is reduced to 15 mph.