Today, World Turtle Day, is all about turtles! World Turtle Day was initiated in 2000 by the American Tortoise Rescue, a California-based non-profit turtle and tortoise rescue organization founded in 1990. The purpose of World Turtle Day is to celebrate turtles and tortoises and to encourage people to learn more about these reptiles and understand what needs to be done to ensure their conservation.

About Turtles

Turtles are reptiles that belong to the Order Testudines. The term turtle is used to refer to all members of the Order Testudines, but there are also several other common names you may be familiar with, such as terrapin, tortoise and sea turtle which refer to groups within the Order Testudine.

Turtles first appeared about 200 million years ago during the early Triassic Period. They are familiar animals and are most recognizable for their shell (or carapace). The various families of turtles include:

• Afro-American side-necked turtles (Family Pelomedusidae)
• Austro-American side-necked turtles (Family Chelidae)
• Box turtles and pond turtles (Family Emydidae)
• Pignose turtles (Family Carettochelyidae)
• Leatherback turtle (Family Dermochelyidae)
• Mesoamerican river turtle (Family Dermatemydidae)
• Mud turtles and musk turtles (Family Kinosternidae)
• Sea turtles (Family Cheloniidae)
• Softshell turtles (Family Trionychidae)
• Snapping turtles and big-headed turtles (Family Chelydridae)
• Tortoises (Family Testudinidae)

Threats Facing Turtles

Turtles face numerous threats, all of which are the caused. Sea turtles are among the most endangered animals on earth. They face threats from fishing activities, destruction of nesting habitat, and poaching and egg collection. Additionally, other turtles are affected by the pet and live animal trade, habitat destruction, and pollution.

What You Can Do to Help Turtles

Despite the serious threats facing many turtles today, there are things you can do to help protect turtle species both close to home and around the world:

• Protect turtle habitat
• Be cautious of turtles crossing roads
• Don't take on turtles as pets
• Don't pollute

For more ideas about what you can do to help turtles, check out the following articles from the Human Society:

• Twelve Things to Do for Turtles and Tortoises
• Be Kind to Turtles, World Turtle Day is May 23

Sources

• Pecor, K. 2003. Testudines (On-line). Animal Diversity Web. Accessed May 26, 2007 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Testudines.html.
• Turtles (On-line). Wikipedia. Accessed May 26, 2007 at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turtle.

Photo © Jamie Wilson / Shutterstock. Box turtle.