- By Aditi Priya Singh
- Thu, 27 Nov 2025 12:02 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Every year on November 27, Turtle Adoption Day 2025 is held to promote awareness of turtles, their peaceful way of life, and how they react to danger. The day also serves as a reminder of the age of these animals and the importance of turtle conservation. Turtles predate dinosaurs by more than 200 million years. However, many turtle species are currently endangered, primarily due to ocean pollution, smuggling, shifting weather patterns, plastic pollution and disappearing habitats. In addition to learning how to keep turtles safe, the event encourages people to support conservation efforts and participate by symbolically adopting a turtle through conservation organisations.
This day isn't just about honouring the turtles, but it's about seeing why they matter so much to nature. Turtles work silently and keep oceans and rivers clear. They live way longer than most animals because of their quiet and intelligent adaptations. People are more likely to stick around in the long run when facts are shared, needs are identified, and adoption is encouraged. This incident encourages us all to appreciate these leisurely, surprisingly intelligent reptiles.
Here are 30+ interesting facts about the tiny, slow yet smart creature on the earth turtle.
Basic Facts About Turtles
1. Turtles have existed for more than 200 million years—older than dinosaurs.
2. They can live on land, in freshwater, and in oceans.
3. Turtles breathe air even if they live underwater.
4. Some turtles can live up to 100 years or more.
5. Turtles have excellent memories and can recognise people.
Body Features of Turtles
6. More than 50+ fused bones make up a turtle's shell.
7. Turtles have a touch-sensitive shell.
8. They also have powerful, razor-sharp beaks instead of teeth.
9. To protect themselves, some species can tuck their heads inside the shell.
10. They have a stronger sense of smell than people.
ALSO READ: The Reptile That Breathes Through Its Butt Will Blow Your Mind
Habitat and Lifestyle
11. Sea turtles travel thousands of kilometres during migration.
12. Freshwater turtles prefer slow-moving rivers and ponds.
13. Land tortoises like dry, warm regions.
14. They spend most of their life alone and are solitary creatures.
15. Turtles are calm but alert animals.
Turtle's Diet and Eating Habits
16. Some turtles are vegetarian, some are carnivorous, and some are omnivorous.
17. Sea turtles help maintain coral reefs by eating sea sponges.
18. Tortoises mostly eat grass, fruits, and leafy greens.
19. Baby turtles are more carnivorous for faster growth.
20. Turtles swallow food without chewing much.
Reproduction and Babies Of Turtles
21. Female turtles return to the same beach where they were born to lay eggs.
22. Temperature decides the hatchlings’ gender—warm sand makes females; cool sand makes males.
23. Baby turtles face great danger; only 1 in 1,000 survives to adulthood.
24. Hatchlings use the moonlight to find their way to the ocean.
25. Turtles lay eggs in deep nests that they dig with their back flippers.
Turtle's Intelligence and Behaviour
26. For years, turtles can remember specific locations.
27. They pick up patterns fast, such as when to eat.
28. Turtles use low-frequency sounds to communicate.
29. They can experience both comfort and stress instantly.
30. Turtles navigate by using the Earth's magnetic field.
ALSO READ: Turtle In Bra? TSA Catches Woman Smuggling Turtle Pair At Miami Airport
Conservation and Protection
31. Plastic waste is one of the biggest threats to turtles.
32. Many turtles die by mistaking plastic bags for jellyfish.
33. Turtle adoption programs help fund rescue and treatment.
34. Beach pollution affects nesting sites.
35. Conservation laws protect endangered turtle species worldwide.
