What is it? 

World Turtle Day, celebrated on May 23 each year, is a global observance aimed at increasing awareness about the importance of protecting turtles and tortoises and their rapidly disappearing habitats. It was founded in 2000 by the nonprofit organization American Tortoise Rescue in Malibu, California. 

The theme for the 25th year is Dancing Turtles Rock, a joyful reminder that celebration and conservation can go hand in hand. This year’s theme encourages everyone to get moving, literally and figuratively, for turtles. Whether it’s dancing in a turtle costume, creating turtle-inspired art, or advocating for stronger environmental protections, the goal is to spread positivity and action for these ancient reptiles. 

Why May 23? 

The founders chose this date to align with the height of nesting season for many turtle species in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s a time when these animals are most visible and vulnerable, making it ideal for drawing attention to their plight.  

As American Tortoise Rescue co-founder Susan Tellem puts it, “World Turtle Day is about respect and protection. We want people to know that these animals deserve a future.” 

Why it matters. 

Turtles and tortoises are among the most ancient reptiles on Earth, with some species dating back over 200 million years, long before the age of the dinosaurs. The key difference between a turtle and a tortoise is that a tortoise is completely terrestrial. Over millennia, they have adapted to an incredible range of environments, from lush rainforests and sunbaked deserts to vast oceans and freshwater rivers. These slow-moving creatures are far more than evolutionary survivors; they play vital ecological roles. Their continued presence supports biodiversity and sustains the balance of delicate ecosystems across the globe.  

Despite their importance, turtles and tortoises are in danger. More than half of all species are now classified as endangered or critically endangered due to threats such as habitat destruction, plastic pollution, illegal pet and food trade, and the escalating effects of climate change. World Turtle Day was created to shine a spotlight on these remarkable reptiles and rally support for their protection. The day encourages people around the world to celebrate turtles and tortoises, raise awareness of the threats they face, and take meaningful action, through education, advocacy, habitat preservation, and support for conservation initiatives, to ensure that these creatures have a future. 

What you can do! 

World Turtle Day is a global call to action, and you can make a difference! Here are some impactful ways to celebrate and protect our shelled friends: 

  • Never buy a turtle or tortoise from a pet store: 
    • This encourages the capture and sale of wild animals, which is harmful to wild populations. 
  • Never take turtles or tortoises from the wild: 
    • Unless they are clearly sick or injured, they should be left in their natural habitat where they belong. 
  • Emergency care: 
    • If a tortoise is crossing a busy street, pick it up and send it in the same direction it was going, if you try to make it go back, it will turn right around again. 
  • See a tiny turtle for sale?  
    • Report any sale of turtles or tortoises under four inches. This is illegal across the U.S. due to health and safety concerns. 
  • Witness cruelty or illegal sales?  
    • Contact your local animal control or wildlife authority to report abuse or illegal trafficking of turtles and tortoises. 
  • Write to your legislators: 
    • Ask them to protect sensitive turtle habitats, restrict destructive off-road vehicle use, and oppose offshore drilling that threatens sea turtles. 

Every action, no matter how big or small, helps ensure a safer, healthier future for turtles and tortoises globally! 

 

Information from American Tortoise Rescue. Cover image by Dan Vickers (CC BY).