DYK? Today, Tue, May 23, is World Turtle Day
Over 200 kinds of turtles are known in the world, with 7 species in Nova Scotia!
“American Tortoise Rescue, a nonprofit organization established in 1990 for the protection of all species of tortoise and turtle, is sponsoring our annual World Turtle Day® on May 23. The day was created as a yearly observance to help people celebrate and protect turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats around the world”
Info via Museum of Natural History
7 species reside in Nova Scotia. Three of these are giant marine turtles: The Atlantic Loggerhead, the Atlantic Ridley, and the Atlantic Leatherback. These turtles are often seen from boats and do occasionally get tangled in fishing gear. While they do visit our waters every summer, these species nest in more tropical regions of the world. All marine turtles are considered endangered species.
In addition to the three marine turtles mentioned above, Nova Scotia has four species found in freshwater habitats. A name used to describe freshwater turtles is “terrapins”, and those species that live entirely on land are called “tortoises”, although we have no wild tortoises in Nova Scotia. While adult turtles have very few predators, other animals like crows, bears and raccoons will dig up turtle nests to eat the eggs and hatchlings. All four turtle species in the Province are considered “at risk”.
