A male yellow-bellied slider
© Marko Markovic Photography/Shutterstoc
Happy World Turtle Day!. At full stretch on World Turtle Day
For the last 20 years on 23 May, turtle lovers everywhere emerge to honour these shelled reptiles, which have roamed the Earth for more than 200 million years. There are more than 350 known species alive today and turtles are found on every continent, except Antarctica. But despite their wide distribution, most are endangered due to loss of habitat, illegal wildlife trade, hunting and fishing. World Turtle Day aims to change that by raising awareness about their plight and encouraging conservation efforts. So today, we invite you to stick your neck out for turtles.
A Julia butterfly on the nose of a yellow-spotted river turtle, Amazon Region, Ecuador
Green sea turtle, San Diego, California, USA
Volcán Alcedo giant tortoises, Isabela Island, Galápagos, Ecuador
Giant tortoises on Alcedo Volcano in the Galápagos Islands
