Turtle committed to safeguarding shelled creatures

Cowabunga! It's World Turtle Day on May 23. Sue Wilkinson celebrates our selected heroes and the efforts to protect them and their habitat.

t's easy to get confused between a tortoise and turtle. The main difference between the two is that turtles sometimes live in the water, while tortoises only live on the land.

Turtles live up the age of 40 and have streamlined and mostly flat shells. On the other hand, tortoises can live up to 300 years and they have larger, more domed shells. You will mostly find turtles in the sea, while tortoises inhabit dense jungles and grasslands.

Turtles and tortoises are two different animals but this day is dedicated to celebrating and protecting both.

The day was first celebrated by American Tortoise Rescue in 2002 and it high lights the suffering and the dwindling numbers of these animals due to human interference and environmental hazards.

Schools, rescue centers, and nature lovers all come together on this day to learn more about these creatures and pledge thei allegiance to help save them.

American Tortoise Rescue was created by Susan Tellem and Marshall Thompson. They organize charity drives and actively work to spread awareness for the critical conditions of these shelled reptiles.

WORLD TURTLE DAY TIMELINE

1547: The first versions of Aesop’s fable The Tortoise and the Hare are published.

1990: American Tortoise Rescue is founded by Susan Tellem and Marshall Thompson establish American Tortoise Rescue.

2002: The first World Tur the Day is celebrated. 2011: United States Postal Service prints its first batch of Save the Sea Turtle Stamps and donates the proceedings from it to the species' conservation.

HOW TO CELEBRATE

Adopt a turtle or a tortoise from the rescue shelter. These creatures make for hassle-free pets. They do need much Attention and are perfect pets for young children!

Visit your nearest aquarium which houses turtles. There are Sea Life Centres in Birmingham, Blackpool, Brighton, Great Yarmouth, Gweek, Hunstanton, Loch Lomand, London, Manchester, Oban, Scarborough, Weymouth.

There are also attractions which feature sea life including Alton Towers and The Deep in Hull.