“Life is not a race, it is a gift. Don’t rush through it. Slow down and enjoy it!”

Here is some turtle wisdom to help you get through the day, on the day we honour these gentle and slow creatures. The World Turtle Day is celebrated every year on the 23rd of May to honour and discuss turtles and tortoises.

Turtles and tortoises are signs of endurance and wisdom. As both land-dwelling and aquatic animals, turtles have significant ecological significance. Their distinctive traits and behaviours help maintain the global ecological balance. These animals play essential roles in maintaining biodiversity, whether it be the herbivorous sea turtles that maintain the health of the seagrass beds or the terrestrial turtles that help in seed dispersal. 

Turtle…or tortoise?

A turtle and a tortoise are very similar in appearance. Since turtles can live on both land and water and tortoises can only live on land, this is the key difference between the two. Turtles can live for 40 years and have shells that are smooth and largely flat. With a lifespan of more than 300 years, turtles have thicker, more conical shells. While tortoises typically inhabit lush jungles and grasslands, turtles are typically found in the sea. 

Hope that helps you to identify these two creatures apart!

How is this day celebrated?

On International Turtle Day, educational institutions, animal rescue organizations, and nature lovers come together to learn more about these creatures and make commitments to help them be rescued. They organize fundraising activities and work tirelessly to bring attention to the plight of these animals with shells.

To celebrate the day on your own, try these activities:

• Adopt a tortoise or turtle from a rescue centre. Some organizations let you sponsor these animals as well. 

• You can consider donating to a local turtle conservation facility. Your donation will be useful because there is no such thing as a small donation.

• Volunteer to help –  you could volunteer at a facility that rescues tortoises. Volunteers can assist by feeding turtles and caring for sick turtles etc.

We can guarantee a more promising future for turtles and the ecosystems they live in by increasing awareness, promoting conservation initiatives, and fighting for change. Let’s commemorate this day by learning more about these fascinating creatures and appreciating their ecological significance.

Let’s strive to create a world in which turtles thrive and continue to grace our planet for many years to come!