An ancient animal, a modern day
World Turtle Day is celebrated on May 23 and was created by a turtle-and-tortoise rescue to build appreciation and encourage people to help these animals survive and thrive. Turtles are among the oldest living lineages on Earth, and yet many species face steep modern pressures from habitat loss, road traffic, and the pet trade. The day works on two levels at once: it is a warm celebration of a much-loved animal and a practical call to treat turtles, wild and captive, with more care.
Help the wild ones
One of the most useful things you can do is learn the right way to help a turtle crossing a road. Move it in the same direction it was already traveling, because turning it back only sends it into the road again on a second attempt. Handle it gently, keep it low to the ground in case it struggles, and never relocate a wild turtle far from where you found it, since it knows its home range and a new area can be a death sentence. Wash your hands afterward, and enjoy the small satisfaction of a good deed done.
Rethink the pet-store turtle
Turtles are often sold as easy starter pets, which does them a disservice. Water turtles need a large tank, strong filtration to cope with how messy they are, a warm basking area, and proper UVB lighting to process calcium and avoid shell disease. Just as important, they are extraordinarily long-lived, with many species reaching decades and some potentially outliving their owners. Adopting one is a genuine long-term commitment, so learn the true adult size and lifespan first, and choose a rescue over an impulse buy at a shop or fair.
Keep everyone healthy
Turtles and other reptiles can carry salmonella bacteria, so hygiene is part of responsible keeping. Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling a turtle or cleaning its enclosure, keep them out of food-preparation areas, and take extra care around very young children. None of this is a reason to fear turtles; it is simply the same common sense that makes living with any animal safe.
Whether you keep a turtle, meet one on a trail, or just admire them from afar, use May 23 to appreciate a survivor from the deep past. Support a rescue, tidy up a pet’s tank, help one across the road, and spread the word that turtles are a lifelong responsibility rather than a passing novelty.
How to celebrate
- 1Help a turtle cross safely
If you find a turtle crossing a road, move it in the direction it was already headed, never backward. Handle it gently and low to the ground, and wash your hands afterward. Never relocate a wild turtle to a new area.
- 2Support a rescue
Turtle and tortoise rescues take in animals surrendered by owners who underestimated their care and lifespan. A donation on this day directly funds that work. Some let you sponsor a specific resident.
- 3Audit a pet turtle's setup
Pet turtles need clean, filtered water, a warm basking spot, and proper UVB lighting to stay healthy. Use the day to check temperatures, replace an old UVB bulb, and deep-clean the tank. Small maintenance prevents big health problems.
- 4Wash up after handling
Turtles and other reptiles can carry salmonella, so always wash hands thoroughly after handling them or cleaning their tank. Keep them out of kitchens and away from very young children's food areas. Good hygiene keeps everyone safe.
- 5Never buy on impulse
Turtles and tortoises can live for decades, sometimes outliving their owners, so adopting one is a serious long-term commitment. Learn the true lifespan and adult size before bringing one home. Adopt from a rescue rather than impulse-buying.