A green sea turtle shows off its shell
© Sergi Garcia Fernandez/Minden Pictures
A green sea turtle shows off its shell
Healthy turtles and tortoises are a crucial part of healthy ecosystems. Disappearing habitat and pollution mean trouble for many turtles and certainly for the green sea turtle, which has been considered endangered for years. World Turtle Day, celebrated every May 23 since 2000, helps to raise awareness and increase education and understanding of turtles and tortoises and the role they play in the vast web of life on Earth.