Hop on Croc

Fun Turtle Flops

Visit CafePress.com for cool turtle merchandise like these flip flops:

My Cousin: the Assam Roofed Turtle

This beautiful species is extremely endangered in Northeast India:

The Assam Roofed turtle, also known as Sylhet roofed turtle, has a triangular and elevated carapace with a promient spiked keel and strongly serrated marginal plates. The carapace is olive-brown in color, with a lighter (yellowish to beige) keel. The head is small and has a weakly hooked upper jaw; a narrow pink stripe runs from the back of each eye to the middle of the back of the head. Adults normally grow to a maximum length of 8 in. (20.5cm).

This species live in the northeastern and southeastern parts of Bangladesh, India. It is found in terrestrial and freshwater habitats in areas with upland tropical moist forest, and fast-flowing streams and perhaps also small rivers.

The species is amphibian. In the cooler months of the dry season, from December to February, it basks during most of the day; individuals living in cooler hill-streams may do so year round. The turtle is shy and never basks on river banks, but only on emergent logs or rocks. At the slightest disturbance, it will dive quickly to the middle of the river, hiding between rocks. Juveniles often flee into accumulations of dead leaves for camouflage and remain motionless.

The Assam Roofed turtle is a rare species known only from a few individuals; it is exploited for its meat and eggs for local consumption and may also enter the pet trade. Habitat destruction by logging and incidental capture in fishing gear are also thought to present threats. The species is currently classified as Endangered (EN) by the IUCN.

Our Amazing Underwater World

Sent to Nat Geo by a fan:

An amazing National Geographic image

There seems to be two separate universes on this planet,
and this one lies beneath.

Call Me Camouflage

Today's Snack: Kiwi Turtles!

The Procession

Live Like a Sea Turtle

Meet Tizzy

In support of "banning the bag" (plastic bags) on California beaches, University of California students have taken inflatable Tizzy on the road to promote eliminating beach pollution.

Read more about UC's anti-pollution program here

Amazing Sea Turtles Hatching on Beach

Baby Grump

My Dragonfly Friend

Color Me Sea Turtle

The Turtle Foundation

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

Visit the Turtle Foundation website

The Turtle Foundation was founded by a small group of dedicated private individuals with the common aim of preventing endangered sea turtles from becoming extinct.

We are an international charitable organization. We are a dedicated volunteer effort and currently are operating our own important protection projects in Cape Verde and in Indonesia.

OUR VISION: A future where sea turtles and their habitats are sustainably protected, healthy, and safe from threat of extinction and destruction.

OUR MISSION: To contribute to sea turtle conservation at our own project sites by cooperating with local communities to create a future where both sea turtles and people can thrive.

The Turtle Foundation is represented in the United States, Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Cape Verde. In all these countries, the Turtle Foundation is a tax exempt and non-profit organization. Donations to Turtle Foundation are tax deductible in accordance with the law of the country concerned.

Shade Huddlers

Hitching a Ride!

When a jellyfish really comes in handy.

I'll Have a Happy Meal

We could all use a Happy Meal these days!

Turtle Totem

RVs in Nature

How Turtle Shells Evolved

The hard structures started forming before the long reign of the dinosaurs, and they did so for a specific purpose. Click hear to read this interesting story at The Atlantic.

My Cousin: The Diamondback Terrapin

Can this guy get any more handsome? Look at his markings!

The diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) was once almost pushed to extinction due to a fashion among some members of American society for turtle meat, a trend that thankfully died out before this terrapin did.

The diamondback terrapin has an oblong upper shell (carapace) that is grey, light brown or black and patterned with concentric diamond-shapes. The shell on the underside of the terrapin (the plastron) can range in colour from yellowish to green or black, and may be decorated with bold, dark markings.

The grey or black skin of the limbs and head bears dark flecks and spots, the head is short and flat, and the prominent eyes are black. The large, webbed feet are adapted for swimming, but also bear strong claws that allow the terrapin to clamber up out of the water. Female diamondback terrapins are larger than the males, and have a broader head and shorter tail. Juveniles are patterned much like adults but usually brighter and have rounder shells.

The diamondback terrapin is native to the United States, where it occurs along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from Cape Cod to Texas. The diamondback terrapin inhabits the brackish waters of coastal marshes, tidal flats, coves, estuaries and coastal lagoons.

Poppa Wheelie

Huddle Up. It's a New Year!

Time for Reflection

Happy New Year Everyone!

Misty Swamp Creatures

Like an Underwater Orchestra

Two-Headed African Spurred Turtle

Leaping Lizard Catches a Ride

Or finds a comfortable place for a snooze

Elongated Tortoise

And from Southeast Asia, we have the Elongated Tortoise, in trouble for extinction

A Pensive Sulcata Tortoise

Green Sea Turtle in Bora Bora

A very friend sea turtle, me thinks.

Loggerhead Sharing his World

Meet Freddie, the African Tortoise

Enjoying an afternoon snack

Meet Chappy, the Black-Breasted Leaf Turtle.

This small Black-Breasted Leaf Turtle is native to the mountainous regions of northern Vietnam and southern China as well as Laos. It is currently on the endangered species list.

This turtle is easily recognized by its flattened carapace that is distinctively serrated at the front and back, and by the yellow-edged, dark-brown to black plastron for which it earns its common name. There are also three prominent keels protruding down the length of the carapace, which varies considerably in colour from orange-yellow or tan to a rich chestnut or mahogany brown, to a rather drab olive. The olive to dark brown head is characterised by faint yellow markings near the eye and along the neck, and additional pale-coloured speckling may appear on the sides of the head and jaws. The rest of the skin is greyish brown, often dappled with tan, olive or orange coloring.

Perhaps one of the most striking and conspicuous features of this unusual turtle, however, are the large and protuberant eyes with white irises, that give an alert expression.

Pumpkin Play Time - Happy Halloween!

Courtesy of the California Academy of Science, San Francisco

Hold On Just a Minute, Buddy!

Giant land tortoise has something to say!

Black Soft Shell Turtle

These beauties are nearly extinct in their homeland of India

Leatherback Laying Eggs

Big 'Ol Galapagos Buddies

With Age Comes Wisdom

you can see it in his eyes. wisdom, it's there.

Is There No Place Private?

Baby Giant Tortoise Hangout

Baby BFFs

National Geographic's 2015 Tortoise Documentary

Turtle Gonna Get Ya

The Size of Things

Baby Slowsky's First Word

Can't Get Enough Berry

YUMMY!

Baby Atlantic Loggerhead

Meet George

The friendliest 193 year old giant land tortoise you'll ever meet!

Announcement: World’s Ugliest Dog!

Mama's fond of this parade of beauty held every June in Petaluma, California, at the Sonoma County fairgrounds, where she grew up. In this contest, ugly means downright stunning and gorgeous. You can see cute puppies anywhere, but to be the world’s ugliest dog takes a level of uniqueness that money can’t buy! This year’s winner is Sweepee Rambo.

She weighs in at 4lbs, is 17 shivery years old, blind in both eyes, wears a diaper and has bow legs. This is the third time Sweepee entered the competition, but it’s her first win.

Congrads, SweePee!!!

Nap Time

The Grassy Knoll

It's a beautiful summer day and I'm loving it!

Watermelon Man

Enjoy one of the tastiest, most refreshing of all turtle treats...