World Turtle Day

What Is World Turtle Day?

Every year on May 23, the world observes "World Turtle Day." It was established in 2000 by American Tortoise Rescue, a US nonprofit organization. The day aims to deepen knowledge of and respect for turtles and tortoises, and to encourage conservation efforts to protect these threatened animals and the natural habitats they depend on. Its goal is to encourage human action to help turtles and tortoises survive and thrive.

Historical Facts About These Ancient Survivors

Turtles are true "evolutionary success stories," having survived since the age of dinosaurs with remarkably little change to their form.

• Over 200 million years of history: Fossils of turtle ancestors have been found in rock layers dating back roughly 220 million years, to the Triassic period. With their unique body plan built around the shell, turtles have survived since the age of the dinosaurs.
• Record-breaking lifespans: An Aldabra giant tortoise named Adwaita, kept at a zoo in India, was said to be over 250 years old. Many turtles are long-lived, and they are known as some of the longest-lived vertebrates.

The Shell and Other Features

Turtles have several features not found in other animals.

• The shell is an "immovable skeleton": A turtle's shell is actually formed from fused, modified ribs and spine. Unlike other animals, turtles cannot "take it off." The shell is part of the skeleton itself and protects the turtle from predators.
• Surviving winter: Some freshwater turtles are known to take in oxygen through their skin and cloaca while hibernating underwater.

Fascinating Facts About Turtles

• "Temperature" determines sex: In many sea turtle species, the sand temperature during egg incubation actually determines the hatchling's sex—generally, warmer temperatures produce females and cooler temperatures produce males. Scientists are increasingly concerned about how global warming may be skewing turtle sex ratios.
• Remarkable navigation skills: Sea turtles can return with precision to nesting grounds thousands of kilometers away. They are thought to sense Earth's magnetic field and use it to navigate the open ocean.
• Even the shell has nerves: Blood vessels and nerves run through a turtle's shell. so turtles are thought to feel touch through their shells.
• The state of endangered species: Of the more than 300 turtle and tortoise species worldwide, about half are considered threatened with extinction, mainly due to habitat loss, overharvesting, and the pet trade.
• A cultural symbol of longevity: Across East Asia, including Japan, there's an old saying: "The crane lives a thousand years, the turtle ten thousand." Turtles have long been regarded as a symbol of longevity and good fortune.

Ideas for World Turtle Day

• Watch a documentary about turtle ecology and conservation.
• Take action to reduce plastic use. Sea turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish and eat them, a genuinely serious problem. Something as simple as using a reusable bag can directly help protect ocean life.
• If you keep a pet turtle, review its living environment and commit to caring for it for its whole life.
• Visit a zoo or aquarium and observe turtles up close.

Learning From the Turtle's Steady Pace

May 23 is a day to think about turtles, which have carried life forward for more than 200 million years, and the environments they live in. With many species now threatened, our small actions can help protect them. Today, let the turtle remind you of the value of moving forward steadily, one step at a time.