On May 10, 2015 at the National Zoo, a baby spider tortoise broke its way out of its shell, and the second one is expected any day. (Photo : National Zoo/Smithsonian)
World Turtle Day is celebrated every year during May 23 to remember the plight of these marine animals from turtles to tortoises. This annual event was created by the American Tortoise Rescue in 2000 in an effort to raise awareness for the animals since their survival has been threatened by environmental and human interference, which leads to losing their habitats.
According to World Turtle Day founders Susan Tellem and Marshall Thompson, this day has been established in order to target and address the rehabilitation of these reptiles and also to assist law enforcement in the investigation and retrieving of abused or neglected turtles.
World Turtle Day is celebrated all over the world across countries such as the United States, India, Australia among many others.
And just in time for this day, Smithsonian's National Zoo announced to the public that a rare spider tortoise has hatched at the Reptile Discovery Center.
The zoo reveals that the tortoise gave birth last May 10 at the off-exhibit area which has been healthy and doing well after the birth. The zoo also announced that if the tortoise continues its current progress, it will be shown to the public this summer.
The baby tortoise's parents arrived at the zoo last January 2014. The mother tortoise laid her first egg in August 2014 but it unfortunately did not hatch. This baby tortoise came from the second egg that was laid last September. Another egg, a third one that was laid last October but it remains to be seen.
Spider tortoises are native to Madagascar where their population has plummeted to 80 percent since 1970.
In order to raise awareness for these turtles and tortoises, here are some things that anyone can do to help.
Never buy a turtle or a tortoise from a pet shop or any store as this will increase the demand.
When a turtle becomes sick or injured, it's advisable to keep them away from the wild until they have fully recovered.
Upon stumbling on a turtle or tortoise in a busy street, the first thing to do is to place turtle in the same direction where it was previously headed to. Trying to make the turtle go back will only make them push forward to their original direction.
If a baby turtle or tortoise is being sold that is less than four inches, report the incident immediately to a local marine environmental agency.
