My husband asked me once why I cared so much about turtles. I responded by explaining to him that they are an amazing animal. No other animal is like them. Physically, and most obviously, they have a shell. They are not what one would expect from an animal that can live on land. How did they evolve like that? How do they expand their lungs to take a breath when they are encased in armor? How do they survive a midwestern winter under the ice in a frozen pond without air? These are only a few of the questions I had when I started learning about these amazing creatures. Once I had started searching for these answers I had more questions, and sought more answers, and am still seeking them to this day!

There is a lot more to turtles and tortoises than most of us know. Scientists are still learning about these unique creatures. They are an irreplaceable part of life, a necessary part of their ecosystem. They are truly one of a kind. For instance, did you know that the pancake tortoise of Kenya and Tanzania can actually expand it’s shell like a balloon to lock itself into rocky crevices to avoid being eaten by predators? Did you know that hatchling painted turtles can survive without oxygen longer than any other air-breathing vertebrate we know of? We’re talking about a time period as long as five months! Were you aware of the fact that some species of turtles and tortoises can live to be over 100 years old? I didn’t know any of these facts, and the more I learned the more I wanted to learn. I hope that you will want to discover more about these wonderful, amazing, and unusual animals that God has blessed us with.

Turtles have survived since dinosaurs roamed the earth, and only now have they been threatened with extinction. Why now? Well, sadly, it’s pretty much humankind’s fault. We have polluted and destroyed the places they live in. We have hunted them for food, medicine, and for the pet trade. Now many species may be lost...unless we decide to step in and help. Won’t you please help?

Resources:

Orenstein, Ronald. Turtles, Tortoises, and Terrapins: survivors in armor. Buffalo, New York USA; Firefly Books (2001)