This week, the Wildlife Center is celebrating World Turtle Day – which takes place on May 23. This day, sponsored by the American Tortoise Rescue, is designed to bring attention to, and increase knowledge and respect for, turtles and tortoises, and to encourage human action to help them survive and thrive.
So how is the Wildlife Center celebrating?
For the Center, World Turtle Day always signals the end of one "turtle season", and the start of the next! As we approach more consistent spring temperatures, the Center is preparing to release many turtles back to the wild; these are the turtles that overwintered at the Center as they continued to heal from injuries sustained last fall. At this point, 10 Woodland Box Turtles are preparing to return to the wild — seven of them are currently in our outdoor turtle yards, getting regular exercise before they return to the wild in a couple of weeks.
At the same time, many new turtles are arriving at the Center; it’s the time of year when many are emerging from hibernation. Dozens of turtles are admitted to the Center each year when they come into conflict with vehicles, lawnmowers, or dogs. The Center is currently caring for a grand total of 26 turtles, including 19 Woodland Box Turtles, four Eastern Painted Turtles, two Yellow-bellied Sliders, and a state-endangered Bog Turtle.
In addition to acknowledging our wild turtle patients, we also celebrate Wilson and Emma — the Wildlife Center’s education turtle and tortoise. Wilson will be traveling with Outreach Coordinator Alex to a nearby elementary school along with several other education ambassadors, where he’ll help teach a group of students about habitats – a perfect way to celebrate World Turtle Day! Emma will have the day “off” from education programs, but she’ll be relaxing in her enclosure in the Center’s lobby, ready to meet and greet anyone who comes into the Wildlife Center. At this time of year, we’re admitting about 15-20 patients a day – so they are definitely meeting and greeting a number of rescuers!
Need help in figuring out how you should celebrate World Turtle Day?
- Make a donation to the Wildlife Center in honor of the turtles … and/or sponsor the Critter Cam in their honor!
- Watch Episode Three of Untamed, the Center’s new weekly television series. The third episode just aired on May 16 and is all about Turtles!
Adopt Wilson or Emma through the Center’s Caring for Critters sponsorship program. Celebrate with them year-round!- Take "Wilson’s Turtle Promise" — and don’t ever keep a wild turtle as a pet. If you truly desire a pet reptile and can make all of the commitments necessary to keeping a healthy, happy herp, please look into adopting. Captive-bred reptiles or rescued turtles are available for adoption in the state of Virginia through several different organizations, such as Virginia Reptile Rescue.
- Do NOT relocate a turtle to a “better place”. Turtles have small home territories and should be left where they are found. Their survivability depends on it!
- Assist turtles crossing a road by carrying them across in the direction they’re headed. Many turtles crossing roads are egg-laden females looking for appropriate nesting sites.
- Learn more about the turtles in your area. The Virginia Herpetological Society has great information on Virginia’s wild turtles.
Take special care when dealing with a Snapping Turtle. These turtles may be as much as 19 inches long, weigh up to 35 pounds, have powerful jaws, and a long neck. To handle a large Snapping Turtle safely, avoid the front half of the turtle’s body. While wearing gloves, place one hand on the base of the turtle’s tail – to help stabilize and secure the turtle – and slide the other hand halfway under the turtle’s shell.- Watch out for turtles and other wildlife when mowing lawns and doing other yard work.
- Help monitor the declining Eastern Box Turtle population in Virginia by filling out this Box Turtle Reporting form whenever you encounter one!
- If you find an injured turtle, put it in a box and contact the Wildlife Center of Virginia or a permitted wildlife rehabilitator. Make sure to record details of the rescue location so that the turtle can be returned there once it has healed.
- Tune in to your local "oldies" radio station … and request songs by "The Turtles." Share these turtle tips with the station!
- Keep domestic animals indoors or on leashes. Free-roaming dogs and cats injure and kill millions of wild animals each year.
- Always wash your hands with soap and water after handling a turtle.
- Share these turtle tips and photos – and spread the word!
We hope you have a happy World Turtle Day!