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.
Activate eco-conscious pet owners and wildlife supporters with conservation-focused campaigns tied to turtle habitat visits, pet care upgrades, and charitable donations.
- Pet turtle care tips: spring tank refresh & enrichment ideas for your reptile
- Partner with local aquariums & zoos to promote World Turtle Day habitat tours & conservation volunteering
- Donate-to-protect campaign: link pet product purchases to turtle species conservation efforts
- User-generated content: pet owners share their turtle appreciation moments & habitat setups
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 2000 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.
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! World Turtle Day Timeline220 million years agoEarliest Known Stem TurtlesFossils such as Odontochelys and Proganochelys from the Late Triassic show the gradual evolution of the turtle shell, marking some of the oldest known turtle relatives.150 million years agoModern-Type Turtles AppearBy the Late Jurassic, turtles with body plans similar to modern species, including marine forms, are present in the fossil record, indicating early ecological diversification. 3rd–2nd millennium BCETurtles in Ancient Chinese CosmologyIn early Chinese tradition, a great turtle called Ao helps support the heavens, and turtle shells are used in Shang dynasty divination, linking turtles with longevity and cosmic order. 1500–500 BCEKurma, the World Turtle in Hindu MythologyHindu texts describe Vishnu’s Kurma avatar as a cosmic turtle supporting Mount Mandara during the churning of the ocean, cementing turtles as symbols of stability and creation. Ancient Greece, c. 600–300 BCETurtles in Greek Religion and ArtIn classical Greece, turtles are associated with Aphrodite and sometimes Hermes, appearing in art and myth as symbols of fertility, femininity, and domestic virtue. [1]1969Sea Turtles Listed Under U.S. Endangered Species LawThe United States lists several sea turtle species under the Endangered Species Conservation Act (and later the Endangered Species Act), recognizing sharp population declines from hunting and habitat loss. [1]1973CITES Regulates International Turtle TradeThe Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was signed, placing most sea turtles and many tortoises on its appendices to control global trade in their meat, shells, and eggs. [1]
Earliest Known Stem Turtles
Fossils such as Odontochelys and Proganochelys from the Late Triassic show the gradual evolution of the turtle shell, marking some of the oldest known turtle relatives.
Modern-Type Turtles Appear
By the Late Jurassic, turtles with body plans similar to modern species, including marine forms, are present in the fossil record, indicating early ecological diversification.
Turtles in Ancient Chinese Cosmology
In early Chinese tradition, a great turtle called Ao helps support the heavens, and turtle shells are used in Shang dynasty divination, linking turtles with longevity and cosmic order.
Kurma, the World Turtle in Hindu Mythology
Hindu texts describe Vishnu’s Kurma avatar as a cosmic turtle supporting Mount Mandara during the churning of the ocean, cementing turtles as symbols of stability and creation.
Turtles in Greek Religion and Art
In classical Greece, turtles are associated with Aphrodite and sometimes Hermes, appearing in art and myth as symbols of fertility, femininity, and domestic virtue. [1]
Sea Turtles Listed Under U.S. Endangered Species Law
The United States lists several sea turtle species under the Endangered Species Conservation Act (and later the Endangered Species Act), recognizing sharp population declines from hunting and habitat loss. [1]
CITES Regulates International Turtle Trade
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was signed, placing most sea turtles and many tortoises on its appendices to control global trade in their meat, shells, and eggs. [1]