Today is World Turtle day and I am thrilled! These majestic creatures are by far my favourite animals and I am so in awe of them and their fellow land walkers; tortoises. I first fell in love with them when I visited an aquarium and got to see them up close. I was amazed at how big they were and they swam so gracefully despite the fact that they were lugging huge shells around on their backs. So, to “shellebrate” this day and to help create awareness on what our shelly friends have to endure, my post and lesson today will be all about TURTLES.

Turtle Defined:

An animal which lives in or near water and has a thick shell covering its body into which it can move its head and legs for protection - https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/turtle

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INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT TURTLES

• Turtles spend most of their lives in the water (in the ocean or fresh water). They only leave the water when it is time for them to lay their eggs in the sand.
• The leatherback turtle is the largest of the turtle species. It weighs 272 to 680 kgs and is about 139 to 160 centimetres in length, according to the World Wildlife Federation
• A turtle’s rib cage is in essence, a modification of their rib cage.
• Turtles are omnivores and eat a variety of plants, fish and insects.
• Turtles are very adaptive and can be found on every continent, except Antarctica.
• Some turtle reach sexual maturity at only a few years of age, while others only become fertile at the age of 50.
• Turtles do not nurture their young.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), many turtle species are listed as threatened, endangered or critically endangered. For example, the ploughshare tortoise and radiated tortoise are estimated to be extinct in the next 45 years.

Source of information: livescience.com

I would be utterly devastated if I could not share this beautiful reptile with my kids and their kids. Imagine a world without turtles! Turtles are currently becoming more endangered because of pollution (have you seen images of the Plastic Ocean?) and because they are also hunted for their meet, eggs, skin and shells. Climate change is also slightly affecting their nesting areas. 

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So, today, World Turtle Day, I would like you all to take a moment to appreciate this brilliant animal. I would like you to think of ways to protect the species and play an active role in removing it from the endangered species list. Reduce your waste, join ant-poaching leagues and encourage turtles to be removed off of menus as delicacy dishes. 

You can also play an active role and protect turtles by:

1. Not buying turtles from a pet shop or removing them from their wild habitat.
2. Report unlicensed individuals and businesses who are selling the creatures.
3. Reporting cruelty of turtle and tortoises.

As humans we are on top of the food chain, we are the masters of the earth. But this does not mean that we have the right to exploit, harm and endanger the rest of mother nature and all of its creatures. Let us learn from the turtles and swim through life gracefully, lovingly and respectfully. IT”S TIME TO GET YOUR TURTLE ON!

With thanks from @mamammeimei