A yellow-spotted river turtle in Yasuni National Park, Ecuador
© Pete Oxford/Minden Pictures
A yellow-spotted river turtle in Yasuni National Park, Ecuador
Our be-shelled buddy lives in Yasuni National Park in the Ecuadorian Amazon. It’s considered one of Earth’s most diverse ecosystems—and a great place to celebrate World Turtle Day. The observance focuses on protecting turtles and tortoises, and the habitats they call home. About those butterflies: They’re licking salt and other minerals off the yellow-spotted river turtle’s face. And now you know that’s a thing that some butterfly species do.