May 23 is World Turtle Day, celebrating the tortoise and the turtle. Started by the American Tortoise Rescue (ATR) in 2000, the annually celebrated day shines a spotlight on care, conservation and awareness of the oldest living reptiles in the world.
Based in Malibu, California, ATR is the leading advocate for the care, rescue and protection of these ancient reptiles. Placing over 1,000 tortoises and 2,000 turtles into caring homes over the past 25 years, ATR also rescues abandoned pets and offers helpful advice for looking after sick turtles. Dedicated to the day, ATR promotes the education of turtles and tortoises, encouraging discussion and research into further safeguarding practices.
The two are often confused. Generally, turtles live and swim in the sea while tortoises are land-based. However, scientifically, "turtle" is used to describe any member of the order Testudine, which includes both turtles and tortoises!
There are seven species of turtle: The flatback sea turtle (Natator depressus), olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) and hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), of which the latter four are classified as endangered or critically endangered.
Turtles can be found in most of the world's oceans, with the exception of the Arctic and Antarctic. As adults, these omnivores can measure up to between 0.61 meters and 2.7 meters (2-9 feet) in length and can weigh up to 680 kilograms (1,500 pounds). All have a carapace (hard shell) except the leatherback, which has bony plates underneath leathery skin.
Happy World Turtle Day IFLScience
the link has a turtle eating a raspberry ...slowly very very slowly
Based in Malibu, California, ATR is the leading advocate for the care, rescue and protection of these ancient reptiles. Placing over 1,000 tortoises and 2,000 turtles into caring homes over the past 25 years, ATR also rescues abandoned pets and offers helpful advice for looking after sick turtles. Dedicated to the day, ATR promotes the education of turtles and tortoises, encouraging discussion and research into further safeguarding practices.
The two are often confused. Generally, turtles live and swim in the sea while tortoises are land-based. However, scientifically, "turtle" is used to describe any member of the order Testudine, which includes both turtles and tortoises!
There are seven species of turtle: The flatback sea turtle (Natator depressus), olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) and hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), of which the latter four are classified as endangered or critically endangered.
Turtles can be found in most of the world's oceans, with the exception of the Arctic and Antarctic. As adults, these omnivores can measure up to between 0.61 meters and 2.7 meters (2-9 feet) in length and can weigh up to 680 kilograms (1,500 pounds). All have a carapace (hard shell) except the leatherback, which has bony plates underneath leathery skin.
Happy World Turtle Day IFLScience
the link has a turtle eating a raspberry ...slowly very very slowly
