World Turtle Day
World Turtle Day 2026 is celebrated on Saturday, 23rd May this year. It aims to raise awareness of the threats faced by turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats around the world as well as encouraging human action to help them survive and thrive.
Researching and protecting the turtle and tortoise populations is essential. By feeding on dead fish that have washed up on the shores, they help to keep our beaches clean and preserve the ecological balance of our oceans. As turtles travel between their coastal feeding grounds and beaches, they transport vital nutrients, helping these ecosystems thrive.
Turtles
Turtles are known as amniotes because they breathe air and lay their eggs on land. They must return to the surface to breathe as they cannot breathe underwater. Of the 300 species of turtles in the world,129 species are endangered. There are seven species of marine turtles: hawksbill, loggerhead, leatherback, olive ridley, green, flatback, and Kemp’s ridley. The largest turtle species is the leatherback, which can reach up to 180cm long and weigh 500kg, competing with crocodiles and Komodo dragons for the title of the largest reptiles in the world. Kemp’s ridley is the smallest marine turtle, measuring about 70cm long and weighing up to 40kg. Six of these seven species are at risk of extinction. This is due to the rise in human activity and increased plastic waste found in our oceans.
As part of one of the oldest reptile groups in the world, dating back to the time of the dinosaurs – over 200 million years ago – turtles are considerably older than snakes, crocodiles and alligators. They are cold-blooded animals, meaning they can live much longer. Tu”i Malila was the longest-living turtle and lived on Tonga Island, passing away at the ripe old age of 128! However, only 1 in 1,000 marine turtle hatchlings reach adulthood due to the time it takes to reach maturity and threats from predators and marine plastic pollution. They often get caught in fishing nets and plastic waste, leading to drowning.
A bony shell, made from cartilage, protects turtles from predators – some can even tuck themselves in their shells for extra protection. Turtle shells consist of 50 different bones which have fused together. They also have light, spongy bones that help them float. Turtle shells are popular as jewellery and collectable items which has threatened their survival since the 18th century.
Climate change presents a major threat to turtle habitats. Approximately half of the world’s coral reefs no longer exist, and scientists believe the remaining reefs could disappear by 2050 if climate change is not effectively managed. The sex of a turtle is dependent on the temperature when it is born – if the egg is warmer than 28 degrees Celsius, it is born female. Higher sand temperatures can produce more females than males, affecting sex ratios. Rises in sea levels can flood nests, and increased storm events can affect hatchling survival.
Turtles use the Earth’s magnetic field to navigate their way around the oceans. Using their built-in navigation system, they can cross thousands of miles of ocean and still remember their way back to the beach where they laid their eggs. Turtles return to the beach where they hatched to nest their own young. This increases their chance of survival when moving around the ocean. Female leatherback turtles make some curious noises when they are nesting – some of which sound like a human belch!
Turtles travel extensively within the oceans in large groups and are highly sociable creatures. A female leatherback holds the longest known record for swimming nearly 13,000 miles over 647 days from Indonesia to the west coast of America – that’s more than 20 miles a day! Turtles are highly sought after, with a huge illegal trade in their meat, eggs, and shells, and are kept as exotic pets. They are also used for traditional medicines. These, along with climate change, fishing nets, and plastic waste, are the most significant threats to turtles today.
Celebrating World Turtle Day
World Turtle Day is celebrated worldwide in various ways. A variety of events and activities are organised to help preserve turtles. People often rescue turtles from roads and highways and return them to their natural habitats.
There are many fun and easy ways to celebrate World Turtle Day. Dress up as a turtle, wear something green, do a sponsored walk or host a bake sale to raise money for a charity that helps turtles.
Use World Turtle Day to learn more about turtles and share what you learn with others to raise awareness and knowledge of the species.
Learn how turtles are threatened by the exotic pet trade and how this impacts their survival.
Join a conservation organisation which campaigns to protect turtles and their habitats.
Find out more about turtles in this video from Box of Broadcasts.
A Slow Odyssey: A Turle’s Journey
Experience an immersive journey into the world of turtles. Ride with a green sea turtle as it swims in the beautiful waters of its coral reef home in Sipidan, Malaysia.
By Sharon McMichael
Photo by David Courbit Unsplash
