World Turtle Day 🐢

Overview

World Turtle Day is observed annually on May 23rd, established in 2000 by American Tortoise Rescue. Its purpose is to raise awareness about turtles and tortoises and encourage human action to help them survive and thrive. The day promotes appreciation for these ancient reptiles and highlights the threats they face, such as habitat destruction, illegal pet trade, and climate change, while encouraging conservation efforts worldwide.

Origin and story

Turtles and tortoises are some of the oldest living reptiles, with their lineage dating back over 200 million years.

A turtle's shell is an integral part of its skeleton, made up of over 50 bones including the ribs and spine, meaning they cannot leave their shell.

Quick facts

• DateMay 23
• TypePets / Animals
• Great forPet parents, Shelters, Veterinarians

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Ways to celebrate

Sea turtles can find their way back to the exact beach where they hatched, sometimes decades later and after migrating across an entire ocean — and researchers believe they do it by reading Earth's magnetic field like a map.

Learn how turtles navigate without landmarks

Scientists believe hatchlings imprint on the unique magnetic signature of their natal beach before ever leaving it, then use that same signature as adults to find their way home to nest. Read up on the research behind this "magnetic map" theory.

Understand why this makes them so vulnerable

Because sea turtles are wired to return to one specific beach, habitat loss or lighting changes at that single location can disrupt an entire nesting population — even if turtles elsewhere are thriving.

Do something for a turtle today

Support a local wildlife rescue, avoid single-use plastics that end up in waterways, or simply spend some time learning about a turtle or tortoise species you didn't know existed.

Helpful resources: How Do Sea Turtles Find the Exact Beach Where They Were Born? (National Geographic)

Fun facts

• Turtles and tortoises are some of the oldest living reptiles, with their lineage dating back over 200 million years.
• A turtle's shell is an integral part of its skeleton, made up of over 50 bones including the ribs and spine, meaning they cannot leave their shell.
• Sea turtles undertake epic migrations, traveling thousands of miles between feeding grounds and nesting beaches.

Sources and attribution

• How Do Sea Turtles Find the Exact Beach Where They Were Born? (National Geographic)

External links may lead to third-party websites.

Continue your streak

Open one more holiday before you go to build daily momentum.

• Yesterday: Buy a Musical Instrument DayQuick context from the day before.
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FAQ

When is World Turtle Day?

It is observed on May 23 each year.

What is World Turtle Day?

World Turtle Day is observed annually on May 23rd, established in 2000 by American Tortoise Rescue. Its purpose is to raise awareness about turtles and tortoises and encourage human action to help them survive and thrive. The day promotes appreciation for these ancient reptiles and highlights the threats they face, such as habitat destruction, illegal pet trade, and climate change, while encouraging conservation efforts worldwide.

How do people celebrate World Turtle Day?

Read about how sea turtles use Earth's magnetic field as a map to find their way back to the exact beach where they hatched, sometimes decades later.

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