World Turtle Day
World Turtle Day is celebrated annually on 23rd May each 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 has 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 nesting locations on beaches, they transport vital nutrients helping these ecosystems to thrive.
Turtles are known as amniotes because they breathe air and lay their eggs on land. 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. Six of these seven species are at risk of extinction. The largest breed of turtle is the leatherback, often as big as a double bed, competing with crocodiles and Komodo dragons for the largest reptiles in the world.
Many turtles are facing extinction due to the rise in human activity and increased plastic waste found in our oceans. Turtles must return to the surface to breathe as they cannot breathe underwater. They often get caught in fishing nets and plastic waste causing them to drown.
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!
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. Their shells are popular as jewellery and collectable items which has threatened their survival since the 18th century.
Turtles use the Earth’s magnetic field to navigate their way around the oceans. Using their built-in navigation system, they can cross 1000 miles of ocean and 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. 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.
Turtles travel extensively within the oceans in large groups and are highly sociable creatures. They are highly sought-after with a huge illegal trade for their meat, eggs and shells, as well as being kept as exotic pets. They are also used for traditional medicines. These, along with fishing nets and plastic waste, are the most significant threats to turtles in current times.
Celebrating World Turtle Day
World Turtle Day is celebrated all over the world in different ways. A variety of events and activities are organised to help the preservation of turtles. People often rescue turtles from roads and highways, returning 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.
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
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