World Turtle Day! 🐢

Rosie_Scope

Happy World Turtle Day! 🐢

May 23 marks World Turtle Day. World Turtle Day was organised to raise awareness and funds towards turtle and tortoise conservation across the world.

Here's some turtle-y fascinating facts: (sorry.)

• 129 of the approximately 300 species of turtle and tortoise worldwide are either critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable. This is said to be mostly due to habitat destruction and the illegal pet trade.
• Turtles and tortoises can live for over 100 years. The oldest living tortoise is called Jonathan. He was hatched in 1832 making him 193 this year.
• Turtles are said to have outlived the mass extinction event that ended the reign of the dinosaurs. They've changed very little in 100 million years.
• Scientists believe that sea turtles can harness the Earth's magnetic field. This allows them to navigate for hundreds of miles to different nesting and breeding sites across the oceans.

They're pretty incredible creatures I'm sure you'll agree. Have you ever seen a turtle in the wild?

Holly_Scope

Love this! Some really cool facts about turtles. Really interesting read. 😊

Troppie

I was very lucky to see a turtle come and lay her eggs several years ago in Kefalonia ....it was something I'll never forget.It was part of a conservation project

Mary_Scope

Wow that sounds amazing @Troppie 😁