WORLD TURTLE DAY: Origin, Key Facts & Timeline

World Turtle Day is observed every year on May 23 to honour the Turtles and Tortoises, which are resilient animals and are associated with wisdom and perseverance.

It first came to be observed in the year 2000 and is sponsored by the American Tortoise Rescue (ATR).

World Turtle Day

Turtles live up to age of 40 while Tortoises have a huge life span as much as 300 years.

May 23 -World Turtle Day

The primary difference between the two is that Turtles sometimes live in the water, while Tortoises only live on the land.

Turtles are magnificent creatures that appear sedentary & low-key but are very fascinating. They belong to one of the oldest reptile groups in the world - which makes them significantly older than snakes, crocodiles, & alligators.

Susan Tellem & Marshall Thompson are founders of ATR & World Turtle Day and advocate humane treatment of all animals, including reptiles.

Since 1990, American Tortoise Rescue (ATR) has placed around 4,000 Tortoises & Turtles in caring homes.

World Turtle Day

American Tortoise Rescue (ATR) assists law enforcement when undersize or endangered turtles are confiscated & provides helpful information and referrals to persons with sick, neglected or abandoned turtles

“Nature is slow, but sure; she works no faster than need be; she is the tortoise that wins the race by her perseverance." -Henry David Thoreau

"We live in a culture full of hares; but the tortoise always wins." -Dave Ramsey while Bruce Feiler states, "Take a walk with a turtle. And behold the world in pause."

In 1547 “The Tortoise & Hare” - the first versions of Aesop’s fable “The Tortoise & Hare” are published and in 1990 Susan Tellem and Marshall Thompson establish the American Tortoise Rescue (ATR)

In 2002 the First World Turtle Day was observed by ATR and in 2011 the USPS prints its first batch of “Save the Sea Turtle Stamp-USPS” and donates the proceedings from it to the species’ conservation.