World Turtle Day (1 Viewer)

[Max Power]

World Turtle Day 2025: Observed globally on May 23, World Turtle Day, is dedicated to raising awareness about the protection of turtles and tortoises, creatures that have existed on Earth for over 200 million years. This special day highlights the numerous threats they face, including habitat loss, illegal trade, and environmental degradation. World Turtle Day serves as a call to action to protect these ancient species and their ecosystems.

World Turtle Day 2025: Key Facts​

1. Turtles have existed for over 200 million years, predating snakes, crocodiles, and even dinosaurs.
2. Many confuse turtles and tortoises; turtles live in water (sea or freshwater), while tortoises are land-dwellers. Tortoises can live up to 300 years, whereas turtles typically live 40–70 years.
3. Turtles play a crucial role in maintaining ocean ecosystems by eating dead fish and seagrass, while tortoises create habitats through their burrows.
4. With threats such as plastic pollution and illegal trade, 129 of the 300 turtle species are endangered.
5. Some turtles can breathe through their cloaca, allowing them to stay underwater longer.

How to Help:

• Adopt a Turtle or Tortoise: Many people celebrate by adopting from rescue shelters, giving a second chance to these reptiles.
• Donate to Conservation Efforts: Consider donating to organisations like American Tortoise Rescue or volunteering at local turtle sanctuaries to support habitat protection and rehabilitation.
• Participate in Beach Cleanups: Reduce plastic pollution by joining beach cleanups that help protect sea turtle nesting sites.
• Educate and Engage: Schools and zoos host turtle-themed lessons and activities to educate children about the history, significance, and conservation of turtles and tortoises.

 

[Max Power]

I see a lot of turtles on the country roads in North Carolina. I'll always stop (if I can safely) to move them. Turtles are such a cool animal.

 

[El Floppo]

big fan of the animals.

big hater of the poop kind.

 

[foxco]

My personal fave

 

[rockaction]

Anti-colonialists call North America “Turtle Island,” so there’s that .

 

[Courtjester]

My 60 gallon fish tank started to leak about 2 weeks ago. The leak is from under the tank on the bottom seals, so there was nothing I could do to stop this. I had to rehome the only member of the tank--my 10 year old pleco, who was just a massive fish. So now I have this tank that I will never trust to hold any amount of water again and I was actually thinking about getting a turtle--like a Russian Tortoise. I have had turtles/reptiles in the past so I have experience with their care, but my concern is MY age. I mean my wife and I are both 55 and when you bite off owning a turtle, this has the potential to be something you include in a will as I believe Russians can live up to 30-40 years. Additionally, where the tank is located, it is near an exterior wall and during Colorado winters, that could present challenges to keep the little guy warm. I do not want a snake or spider. If we can't decide on something, then I am just going to take a sledgehammer to it and call it a day

 

[Harry Frogfish]

Turtles are dope.

Assuming Orcas are all taken, I have turtles as a backup on the list of animals to come back as. I mean, how many selections come with their own motor home, free?

 

[Joe Mammy]

We have lots of gophers around here. Tortoises. I always stop and help them cross and applaud others while waiting in the car.

I did read the freakiest turtle story ever in the NY Times this morning. Junji Ito had a horror comic of crows attacking a turtle and leaving it flipped over on the road while awaiting a truck to smash it so they could feast. They were watching from overhead phone lines:

proceed with caution

 

[fatness]

My 60 gallon fish tank started to leak about 2 weeks ago. The leak is from under the tank on the bottom seals, so there was nothing I could do to stop this. I had to rehome the only member of the tank--my 10 year old pleco, who was just a massive fish. So now I have this tank that I will never trust to hold any amount of water again and I was actually thinking about getting a turtle--like a Russian Tortoise. I have had turtles/reptiles in the past so I have experience with their care, but my concern is MY age. I mean my wife and I are both 55 and when you bite off owning a turtle, this has the potential to be something you include in a will as I believe Russians can live up to 30-40 years. Additionally, where the tank is located, it is near an exterior wall and during Colorado winters, that could present challenges to keep the little guy warm. I do not want a snake or spider. If we can't decide on something, then I am just going to take a sledgehammer to it and call it a day

I saved an Eastern box turtle on my way to work one day, kept it and took it home for my kids to enjoy as a pet, briefly. Oldest kid was about 12. Kid is now 47, and the turtle is still crawling around our house. It's not the ideal way to keep a box turtle since she has nowhere to dig and limited access to getting into water, but she's still quite lively and gets a bit assertive when she's hungry. She has bitten my toes twice when I was drying off after a shower ("mmmm, big grubs!"), so now while drying off I have to walk around. Low maintenance pet and just fascinating. I assume that, if I die when my wife's away for a weekend, she will come home to a turtle eating my fingers or toes. If I was a turtle that's what I'd do. She was 16 when I brought her home so she's 51 now, and they supposedly can live 75 years (the turtle, not my wife). Never thought about the will aspect.

To answer the obvious question, she crawls into her water dish, drinks all she wants, then pees and poops and gets out. And we clean the dish.

 

[-fish-]

I like turtles

 

[eighsse2]

I like tuwtles

Fixed, we all make spelling mistakes sometimes, it's not a big deal.

 

[Major]

I see a lot of turtles on the country roads in North Carolina. I'll always stop (if I can safely) to move them. Turtles are such a cool animal.

Do you even lift? Turtles can get very heavy so I'd tread carefully. I don't want you injuring your back lil bro.

 

[Max Power]

I see a lot of turtles on the country roads in North Carolina. I'll always stop (if I can safely) to move them. Turtles are such a cool animal.

Do you even lift? Turtles can get very heavy so I'd tread carefully. I don't want you injuring your back lil bro.

I got them little guys for sure, just have to lift with your legs.

Once came across a pretty big snapping turtle I didn't want to mess with, so I more turned him and kicked him in the right direction.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

Turtle in German is Schildkröte which translates to Shield Toad