The Chelonia mydas, or green sea turtle, is a predominantly vegetarian, marine-faring reptile who is capable of remaining submerged under water for five hours. During such an event, the turtle’s heart would slow, with up to nine minutes passing between beats. Usually, though, the turtle’s dives last less than five minutes.
Found throughout the world in tropical and subtropical waters, the green sea turtle is on the worldwide endangered species list due mostly to human infringement on its nesting beaches. Pollution, hunting, habitat loss, disease, and fishing nets have also taken their toll on the reptile.
May 23 is World Turtle Day, set aside to raise awareness about the plight of turtles, tortoises, and terrapins. Some of the oldest creatures on earth, they face endangerment due to habitat destruction, the exotic pet trade, and the black-market food industry.
Learn more about some of the 300 species of the Testudines here.
Green sea turtle by Brocken Inaglory [GFDL or CC BY-SA 4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Happy #WorldTurtleDay! Here are a few turtles from our collections.
The first turtle made of wood is an inrō - a traditional Japanese case for holding small objects that was suspended from a sash worn around the waist. Traditional Japanese robes did not have pockets, so objects were often carried this way in a variety of different vessels. The inrō was particularly suitable for carrying anything small; this object measures only 11 x 71 centimetres.
Also below is a blue figure of a tortoise from 8th century China, and a terracotta vessel in the form of a turtle from late 3rd century-early 2nd century BC North India.
Happy #WorldTurtleDay! Here are a few turtles from our collections.
The first turtle made of wood is an inrō - a traditional Japanese case for holding small objects that was suspended from a sash worn around the waist. Traditional Japanese robes did not have pockets, so objects were often carried this way in a variety of different vessels. The inrō was particularly suitable for carrying anything small; this object measures only 11 x 71 centimetres.
Also below is a blue figure of a tortoise from 8th century China, and a terracotta vessel in the form of a turtle from late 3rd century-early 2nd century BC North India.
