Jacques Hnizdovsky (Ukrainian-American, 1915-1985)

Turtle, 1962

woodcut, 15 3⁄4 x 23 1⁄4 in. (40.0 x 59.1 cm)

Smithsonian American Art Museum 1967.77.7

Southern White Rhinos (Ceratotherium simum simum)

Meerkat (Suricata suricatta) on lookout

Western Lowland Gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) Taz and Floyd

A very active Radiated Tortoise (Astrochelys radiata)

A rather photogenic Cuban Rock Iguana (Cyclura nubila)

Up close with a Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta)

and a quartet of talkative Superb Starlings (Lamprotornis superbus)

A male Drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus). Atlanta Zoo is home to the only captive breeding drill troop in North America.

And finally a Wrinkled Hornbill (Rhabdotorrhinus corrugatus) who seems unsure if it's too hot to stay on his perch or not.

It’s alright buddy, come here, I’ll look after you!

Stigmochelys Pardalis, “Leopard Tortoise” & Astrochelys Radiata, “Radiated Tortoise”

First up is the painted turtle! I think these guys are so stunning, and I run into them from time to time since they’re native to my area. Always a joy to see these little guys! There are four subspecies: eastern, midland, western, and southern. This guys appears to be of the eastern subspecies specifically! They’re also found almost exclusively in the United States!

World Turtle Day

Get in touch with the American Tortoise Rescue to see how you can do your part to protect and preserve the wonderful turtles and tortoises in the world.

We hear about them in parables of being slow and plodding, steady and methodical, and being occasionally obsessed with Ninjitsu, news reporters, and pizza. We are, of course, talking about Turtles!

Turtles are a type of reptile that exists in many environments throughout the world and have found their way into literature, poetry, and parable throughout the world’s history.

World Turtle Day celebrates these noble reptiles and their place in the world and encourages people to take action to help protect both the common pet turtle and the ever endangered.

How to Celebrate (or “Shellebrate”) World Turtle Day

Get Connected

Contact American Tortoise Rescue and find out what you can do in your area to help promote the protection of turtles. If there are no activities in your area, work with them to find out what you can do to coordinate with local aquariums, pet stores, and nature groups to focus on the species of this reptile that live in your area.

Support the Turtles

Wherever you are, you can donate online to turtle causes, or even arrange your own charity and awareness campaigns to help support your favorite species.

You might want to spare your time rather than your money by getting involved in these events, or simply volunteer at your local pet shop to help out their turtles and tortoises. You don’t have to be near a local conservation area to do your bit to help our reptilian friends.

Visit a Turtle Habitat

If you do want to visit a local habitat, why not book a trip and go safely through your local charity to see how they support and help the local wildlife? Across the globe, there are hundreds of places you can visit to help support turtles and tortoises with a licensed charity.

Enjoy Your Pet Turtle

If you have your own tortoise or turtle, why not show it some appreciation on its very own special day? Why not buy your turtle a new rock for its terrarium, or build its very own private basking beach if they don’t have one yet.

Why not give their tank an early spring deep clean to make sure they’re lounging in the best possible environment for them.

Studies show that tortoises can respond to the sound of their owner’s voice (might be because you feed them, or they love you, it’s hard to tell). Why not treat them to some of their favorite broccoli, or even give them a good soak when needed to keep them living their best life.

Keep the Beaches Clean

If you’re not near a turtle or tortoise hub, keeping your nearby beaches clean is equally important for local wildlife and their ecosystem. Keeping your local sandy summer spot free from plastic bags or water bottles will keep the surrounding sea and land life happy. Don’t live near a beach?

Plastic can endanger your local wildlife even in an urban environment, and animals from foxes to fish can get caught up in plastic. Why not do a local recycling drive or clear out in your local park as a big thank you to our two, four, and no-legged friends.

Turtles are amazing creatures, with certain varieties making great pets and others helping to preserve the ecosystem in the waters they live in.

Of course, if you live where snapping turtles haunt the waters, it’s probably a good idea that people know how to avoid them, where to find them, and how not to lose a toe! Happy World Turtle Day!

History of World Turtle Day

Well, the first thing to know is that Turtles and Tortoises are not the same thing, though this day is dedicated to celebrating and protecting both.

Founded in 1990 by American Tortoise Rescue, World Turtle day recognizes that some species of our hard (and soft!) shelled friends are suffering and almost on the edge of extinction due to environmental hazards, issues with hunting and harvesting of their eggs.

American Tortoise Rescue was created by Susan Tellem and Marshall Thompson, a married pair of animal activists who had a particular passion for tortoises.

We all have to have something that drives us in this life, and for these two it was bonding over animal right’s activist work. Don’t think these two are just closet hippies with an overwhelming adoration for all things shelled and scaly.

Susan is deeply involved with television arts & sciences and the public relations society of America while being a partner in Tellem Grody Public Relations Incorporated.

They organize charity collections and works around the world to help protect these amazing critters, and created World Turtle Day to get everyone involved and spread awareness of the shrinking habitat and declining numbers of these sensitive creatures.

Learn More About Turtles

So what is the difference between turtles and tortoises? Although they are both reptiles, the main difference between the two is that turtles live in the water at least some of the time, while tortoises live on the land.

Because they live in the water, turtles have streamlined and mostly flat shells, while tortoises often have larger and more domed ones.

Our tortoise friends can also live longer than their reptilian cousins. Tortoises can live over 300 years, although their average lifespan can go up to around 150 years. Turtles live up until the age of 40, although one record-breaking turtle almost lived to the age of 90!

Learning the differences between our reptile friends is just one of the educational activities that World Turtle Day helps promote.

The Turtle and Tortoise Preservation Group (The TTPG) is open to all turtle and tortoise lovers and creates educational material to help teach kids and adults about these reptilian creatures.

The TTPG helps those who are breeding turtles to keep them safe from extinction, by providing advice to turtle and tortoise keepers. From anyone who has a faithful four-legged tortoise friend to expert breeders, the TTPG is there to help.

World Turtle Day FAQs

How did the idea of a ‘World Turtle’ carrying the Earth influence cultures?

Many cultures feature myths of a giant turtle supporting the world. In Hindu mythology, the World Turtle, known as Kurma, supports the Earth.

This symbolizes stability and endurance. Such myths highlight the turtle’s role in human imagination.

What unique traditions exist worldwide to honor turtles?

In some African cultures, turtles symbolize wisdom. Stories often depict them as clever tricksters.

In Polynesia, warriors tattoo turtle symbols for protection. These traditions reflect the turtle’s cultural significance.

Is it true that turtles can breathe through their rear ends?

Yes, some turtles can absorb oxygen through their cloaca, an opening used for excretion and reproduction. This adaptation allows them to stay underwater longer, especially during hibernation.

How do temperature changes affect turtle populations?

For many turtle species, the incubation temperature of eggs determines the sex of hatchlings.

Warmer temperatures tend to produce females, while cooler ones produce males. Climate change could thus skew sex ratios, impacting future populations.

Why do some cultures associate turtles with creation myths?

In certain Indigenous South American myths, turtles play a role in creation stories.

For example, some tales describe humans emerging from eggs laid by a World Turtle. These stories emphasize the turtle’s perceived role in the origin of life.

What are some common misconceptions about turtles?

A common myth is that turtles can leave their shells. In reality, a turtle’s shell is part of its skeleton, fused to its spine and ribs. They cannot exit it without fatal consequences.

How do turtles contribute to their ecosystems?

Turtles help maintain healthy ecosystems by controlling jellyfish populations and aiding in seagrass bed health. Their nesting activities also contribute nutrients to beach ecosystems, supporting plant life.

What role did turtles play in ancient Greek symbolism?

In ancient Greece, turtles symbolized fertility and were associated with the goddess Aphrodite. Artifacts often depict her with a turtle, emphasizing its connection to love and fertility.

How do turtles navigate during long migrations?

Sea turtles possess a remarkable ability to navigate using Earth’s magnetic fields. They detect magnetic signatures unique to different coastal areas, guiding them back to their natal beaches to nest.

What are some unusual threats that turtles face today?

Beyond habitat loss and pollution, turtles face threats from the illegal pet trade and being caught as bycatch in fishing gear. These factors contribute significantly to the decline of turtle populations worldwide.

The Radiant Radiated Tortoise

One of the rarest tortoise species in the world, the radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiata) is only native to the island of Madagascar. They can be found throughout the island, but they are most abundant in the southern part of the island, among the scrub and thorny brush. In addition to their home range, this species has also been introduced to the nearby island of Reunion.

Like all tortoises, the radiated tortoise is an herbivore. Grasses, leaves, and decaying vegetation constitute about 80-90% of their diet, and is supplemented with flowers, fruits, and cacti- particularly prickly pear cacti. Finding food also makes up the majority of their daily activity, as they move around their territories to find fresh growth. A. radiata’s thick shell deters most predators, but reptiles and birds are known to feed on eggs and hatchlings.

The radiated tortoise mates all year round, due to the relatively consistent climate and food supply. When a male encounters a suitable female, he seduces her by bobbing his head and smelling her hind legs. If she’s receptive, he will mount her in a surprisingly noisy, violent affair-- both parties hiss and grunt, and in some cases the female’s shell may crack from the force of the male’s plastron striking it. 

If mating is successful, the female lays a clutch of 3-12 eggs in an excavated burrow. These eggs incubate anywhere from 5 to 8 months, depending on the average temperature of the nest. The young that emerge are quite small, only 3-4 cm (1-1.5 in) long and lacking the distinctive patterned dome shell. These tortoises will take 16-20 years to reach their full size and become ready to mate. The lifespan of this species varies widely; most individuals live only 40-60 years, but some have been recorded reaching 188.

A. radiata has a very distinctive look. The shells are extremely curved, and is dark brown or black with a striking yellow star pattern that gives the species its name. The rest of the body is dusty yellow, except for a dark patch on the back of the head. The limbs and tail are also covered in thick, raised scales that offer extra protection against predators and help the tortoise retain moisture. Compared to other tortoise species in terms of size, the radiated tortoise is right in the middle: at their maximum, they can reach 40 cm (16 in) long and weigh up to 15 kg (35 lbs).

Conservation status: The IUCN has classified the radiated tortoise as Critically Endangered, due to habitat loss and overcollection for the pet trade. Wild populations have been Many zoos and conservation programs keep captive populations for breeding and reintroduction.

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Photos

Mehgan Murphy

Jackelin Reyna

Rajo Adolphe Landry Andrianiaina