Word of the Week
Testudines (tes-too-duh-knees): A reptile distinguished by its hard shell. It comes from the Latin word testa, meaning "shell."
Salve!
We're celebrating in style with our slow-paced friends. May 23rd was World Turtle Day! American Tortoise Rescue was established in 1990 and is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the turtles around the world. World Turtle Day is now celebrating its 22nd anniversary in hopes of continuing to bring awareness to the turtles' disappearing habitats.
How can you help? Here are some tips I found at World Turtle Day® | Home.
Never purchase a turtle or tortoise from a pet shop. All that does is increase the demand from the wild.
Report the sale of any turtle or tortoise that is less than four inches long. This is illegal throughout the U.S.
Report any cruelty to turtles observed. Also report illegal sales of turtles and tortoises to your local animal control shelter.
Never remove turtles or tortoises from the wild unless they are sick or injured.
If a tortoise is crossing a busy street, pick it up and send it in the same direction it was going – if you try to make it go back, it will turn right around again.
So. . .what exactly are the differences between turtles and tortoises? Here's a fun, quick video explaining some of the major differences.
Are you feeling really creative? I've got the perfect summer activity to celebrate this creature! There's a deliciously juicy fruit that is coming into season. That's right! The watermelon. Check out the tutorial below for inspiration to create your very own turtle watermelon bowl! It will look a little something like this. . .
Watermelon Turtle – namabakery (wordpress.com) (Image taken from this tutorial)
I better get busy carving my watermelon now! Until next time. . .
Gram