May 23 is World Turtle Day , celebrating the tortoise and the turtle . Started by theAmerican Tortoise Rescue(ATR ) in 2000 , the yearly celebrated day shines a glare on charge , preservation and awareness of theoldest living reptilesin the world .
Based in Malibu , California , ATR is the head exponent for the charge , saving and security of these ancient reptile . set over 1,000 tortoises and 2,000 turtles into caring homes over the preceding 25 age , ATR also rescues abandoned dearie and offer helpful advice for look after demented turtleneck . commit to the day , ATR promotes the pedagogy of polo-neck and tortoises , encourage discussion and enquiry into further safeguarding practice .
Peanut eating a raspberry bush . Gif composed fromvideoby YouTube userPhiladephiaTurtle
The two are often confused . mostly , turtles live and swim in the sea while tortoise are land - based . However , scientifically , " turtle " is used to describe any member of the rescript Testudine , which includes both polo-neck and tortoise !
There are sevenspeciesof turtle : The flatback sea polo-neck ( bather depressus ) , olive ridley sea turtle ( Lepidochelys olivacea ) , leatherback sea turtle ( Dermochelys coriacea ) , green sea polo-neck ( Chelonia mydas ) , loggerhead ocean turtle ( Caretta genus Caretta ) , Kemp ’s ridley ocean turtle ( Lepidochelys kempii ) and hawkbill sea turtle ( Eretmochelys imbricata ) , of which the latter four are classified as expose or critically endangered .
Turtles can be found in most of the world ’s oceans , with the exception of the Arctic and Antarctic . As adults , these omnivores can evaluate up to between 0.61 meters and 2.7 metre ( 2 - 9 foot ) in length and can weigh up to 680 kilograms ( 1,500 pounds ) . All have a carapace ( hard shell ) except the leatherback , which has bony collection plate underneath leathery skin .
Gif composed fromvideoby YouTube userScubaManiac007
There are many metal money of tortoise , including the now - out Abaco tortoise ( Chelonoidis albuyorum ) and the saddle - endorse Rodrigues giant tortoise ( Cylindraspis vosmaeri ) . Most mintage of tortoise are herbivorous , with a few exception eat worms and insects .
tortoise have the longest lifespans of any creature . In fact , the oldest ever tortoise ( namedTu’i Malila ) recorded was given to the Tongan mob in 1777 by British explorer Captain Cook and endure to a terrific sure-enough age of 188 .
Giant tortoises move at a very leisurely tempo of 0.27 km per hr ( 0.17 miles per hour ) . Although tortoises are fuck for yield upgrade to the locution “ slow and steady win the race ” from the Aesop fableThe Hare and the Tortoise , the fastestrecorded speedof a tortoise on land is a comparatively spanking 8 kilometers per time of day ( 5 mi per hour ) !
In the wild , both tortoises and turtles are at risk from illegal hunting and poaching , oil spill , contrived light from coastal cities , and non - reclaimable waste matter . As pets , these long - populate reptiles can sustain greatly from wrong maintenance and handling .
Even if you like your reptiles fighting villainsin the mean streetsof New York City , carrying thefour elephants of the Discworldthrough space orkidnappingPrincess Peach , we can all do our part to ensure these majestic creatures are preserve , whether as pet or in the wild .
