Amazing Turtle Facts!

Michelle Parkes · 31 May 2022

Turtles used to hang out with dinosaurs, over 200 million years ago. They can be found in almost every ocean on our planet. From the super tiny Bog Turtle to the epic Leatherhead Turtle; we are blessed with over 300 varieties. As we celebrate World Turtle Day on 23rd May, prepare to be shell-shocked by our fun facts!

A snappy eater

Most turtles are vegetarians. But not the Alligator Snapping Turtle! They have huge powerful beaks with a bite force that could snap bones. They have a clever way to catch their food. Lying on the bottom of a riverbed with their mouths open, they wriggle their red tongues to look like worms! This attracts fish which swim into their mouth!

What do you call a turtle who takes photos? A snapping turtle!

No GPS, no problems!

Turtles have an in-built GPS. They sense tiny variations in the earth’s magnetic fields which allows them to navigate at sea. Female sea turtles will return to the beach they were born many years later to lay their eggs.

Salty turtle tears

Turtles can actually cry! This isn’t because they are sad though. They have special glands which filter salt water out of their eyes. It also protects their eyes from sand when they are laying their eggs.

My favourite teacher at school was Mrs. Turtle. Strange name, but she tortoise well.

It’s a girl!

The gender of a turtle depends on the temperature in the nest. A cooler nest means male hatchlings, Warm temperatures mean females! A fluctuation between temperatures will produce a mixture of male and female baby turtles. As our planet warms up due to climate change, more female turtles are being hatched. This could have a detrimental effect on turtle populations.

Turtle threats!

6 out of 7 sea turtle species are endangered due to human activity. Turtles get caught in fishing nets and mistake plastic bags for jellyfish. Turtle eggs and their meat is considered a delicacy in some parts of Asia. Humans building on coastal areas also means that turtles are unable to return to their beach to lay their eggs.