World Turtle Day

Miscellaneous

World Turtle Day is celebrated every year on May 23 to raise awareness about the protection and conservation of turtles and tortoises.

Theme of 2025: Dancing Turtles Rock

World Turtle Day has been observed annually since 2000 to raise awareness about the protection of turtles and tortoises.
The event is organized by the American Tortoise Rescue (ATR), a nonprofit organization focused on turtle and tortoise conservation.
It aims to highlight threats such as illegal smuggling, the exotic food trade, habitat destruction, global warming, and the pet trade.
In India, the day was observed by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
The focus is on promoting the conservation of turtle species and preserving their natural habitats.

Turtles

Turtles belong to the reptile order Testudines and are known for their bony or cartilaginous shells, developed from their ribs, which act as protective shields.
They can live in both freshwater and saltwater habitats.
Tortoises are a type of turtle that exclusively live on land, unlike other partly aquatic turtle species.
Turtles are cold-blooded animals, meaning they rely on external temperatures to regulate body heat.
Cold-blooded species like reptiles, fish, and amphibians adjust their body temperature by moving between warm and cool environments.
They have a slow metabolism and can survive for extended periods without food or water.
As per the IUCN, many turtle and tortoise species are classified as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered.