Wildlife / On the coast
Sea turtles & marine mammals.
If you're on a Texas beach and find a sea turtle, dolphin, or whale that's stranded, hurt, or dead - look, photograph, but do not touch. These are federally protected, and only trained, permitted responders may handle them. Your job is to report it fast.
Sea turtles
Five sea turtle species occur along the Texas coast - Kemp's ridley, green, loggerhead, hawksbill, and leatherback - and all are federally protected as threatened or endangered. Kemp's ridleys nest on South Texas beaches, including Padre Island.
Dolphins & whales
Dolphins and whales are protected under federal law too. Never push a stranded one back into the water or crowd it - report it and let trained responders come.
Cold-stunned turtles: When the water turns cold, sea turtles can become immobile and wash ashore. Do not push one back into the water or try to warm it yourself. Call the hotline and let trained responders handle it.
The numbers to call
Marine mammals (Texas coast)
1-800-962-6625The Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network, 1-800-9-MAMMAL.
Keep going
Official sources
Sea turtles and marine mammals are federally protected (ESA and the Marine Mammal Protection Act). NOAA Fisheries and the Texas stranding networks coordinate the trained responders.
- Data vintage:
- Coastal wildlife rules as reviewed July 2026
- Last reviewed:
- July 10, 2026
- NOAA Fisheries - Report a Stranding - Federal marine-life reporting
- TPWD - Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle
- Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network
Before you act: Handling a protected marine animal is illegal for the public, even to help. Report it and let trained responders take over. How to use Texas Porch carefully.
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