World Turtle Day

What is the World Turtle Day?

World Turtle Day is an annual observance occurring every May 23. It began in 2000 and is sponsored by the American Tortoise Rescue. The day was created as a yearly observance to help people celebrate and protect turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats around the world as well as to encourage human action to help them survive and thrive. A study on the effects of biodiversity awareness days listed World Turtle Day as an example of how they increase the internet search traffic on the protected species.
Source: Wikipedia.

So why are we talking today about turtles and tortoises?

In nature, we have 356 species of turtles we know of, classed in 13 families under the kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Reptilia, and order Testudines. They are all perfectly adapted to their environment through size, markings, and exoskeleton.

Similarly, 40-50 known species of tortoises, also order Testudines, and even more subspecies, the tortoise family is full of a wealth of different characters, each of whom have perfectly adapted to survive in their natural habitat.

Many turtles and tortoises have, in recent years, become family pets. While in some cases this is very controversial, in some respect many endangered species have found to be surviving mainly because of the non-natural* existence in zoos, animal parks and our homes.
(*not in their natural habitat)

You will notice, that depending on countries, some species are protected more than others. This is of course linked to their trafficking or limited presence, and disappearance due to loss of habitat or extensive fishing (many sea turtles become the unfortunate by-product of fishing industry and huge nets deployed in the seas). In other cases, unfortunately, consumption of them is allowed, even if often very controversial.

Turtles and tortoises in the UK.

In the UK, there are specific rules around purchasing and keeping turtles and tortoises. Many people do not realise, that while these beautiful animals may be wonderful ‘pets’, they may also require more attention and have specific needs we may not be aware of.

Unlike dogs and other furry friends, you do not really need to walk turtles and tortoises each day, and many of them will also hibernate in winter. However, this does not mean, you can simply treat them as lettuce-eaters and not provide them with all the necessary food and environment, that should be as close as possible reflecting this of natural place of their existence.

Before you make decision.

We recommend, before making decision to purchase or adopt a turtle or a tortoise, the future owner takes time and researches the vast amount of information that is available on the topic. Only then, we would recommend making decision whether to adopt/purchase this majestic animal. 
And while you do that research (some links attached below 😉), why would you not consider virtually adopting one of them from a local rescue?

The Sherman gang.

We would like to present you Sherman, but also Gertrude & Freda and Alan & Alice. They are all residents of the local rescue Animals in Need and would very much benefit from a regular donation in their names.

Foto: Permanent residents at Animals In Need

More info here: 
https://animals-in-need.org/resident-animals/
And if you decide you may want to sponsor a different animal, then Sherman’s friends below could also benefit from a helping hand:

• There are plenty to choose from and as in this rescue alone there are more than 600 animals to care for, your #donation, as small or as big as you can afford it, will be greatly received.

For more information about turtles and tortoises please visit these pages:

• World Turtle Day® | Home 
• World Sea Turtle Day | WWF 
• Giant Tortoise | Species | WWF (worldwildlife.org) 
• The Legal Implications of Tortoise Ownership | Pets4Homes  
• A FB Group Sea Turtle Conservancy: https://www.facebook.com/conserveturtles 
• A FB Group Tortoise Protection Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/5669812423 
• And for the future owners (or simply to learn more):  Tortoise Keepers Community UK https://www.facebook.com/groups/716772748417346