Today is World Turtle Day. It’s a perfect excuse to shell out a bit of love and respect to sea turtles, the iconic ocean ambassadors.

Hawksbill Turtles in Elphinstone Reef, near Marsa Alam. Elphinston Reef is a spectacular reef and one of the most beautiful sites in the region. Crystal clear waters and unique coral reefs have made the Red Sea one of the world's prime diving destinations. Yet these reefs are threatened by problems such as overfishing, pollution and uncontrolled coastal development. Egypt's Red Sea coast has become a sprawling mass of concrete hotels and apartment blocks. In a matter of twenty years, the area has undergone large-scale development driven by the tourist dollar. © Greenpeace / Marco Care
Hawksbill Turtles in Elphinstone Reef, near Marsa Alam.
© Greenpeace / Marco Care

Turtles are ancient creatures, largely unchanged for many millions of years. The biggest turtle roaming our seas today is the massive leatherback, a turtle with a leathery shell that can grow to be as big as a double bed. But even they start life as a ping-pong ball sized egg.

A big ol' Leatherback turtle enters the sea after nesting.
A big ol’ Leatherback turtle enters the sea after nesting.

The first trial of life for baby turtles is a daring dash across the beach from where their mother laid eggs. Only the most fortunate make it to the sea by dodging predators such as birds, crabs, and foxes.

Boy holding leatherback turtle hatchling, French Guiana, 1980
Boy holding leatherback turtle hatchling, French Guiana, 1980

Todays turtles are small when compared to the extinct species Archelon. The Dino-turtle was twice as long as todays leatherbacks. Its head alone was up to 90cm long.

Some turtles are named for the way they look. The loggerhead has a big head. The hawksbill has a very pronounced beak. However green turtles are named for having green fat under their shell.

Loggerhead turtle, with its iconic head, laying eggs at Mon Repos beach, Queensland, Australia.
Loggerhead turtle, with its iconic head, laying eggs at Mon Repos beach, Queensland, Australia.

Different species have different tastes in food: from somewhat dull diets of jellyfish or sea grass, to sponges and crunchy crabs. Some are even known to snack on flying fish, which is pretty impressive catching.

Like other reptiles, turtle babies gender is influenced by temperatures. Hotter temperatures produce more females. A recent study showed that climate change is an increasing threat as a result.

The release of a green turtle that became trapped in the trees while trying to lay her eggs overnight. The rescue was performed by Greenpeace's Esperanza captain Mike Finken and Cathy, a Heron Island research scientist.
The release of a green turtle that became trapped in the trees while trying to lay her eggs overnight. The rescue was performed by Greenpeace’s Esperanza captain Mike Finken and Cathy, a Heron Island research scientist.

Six out of the seven of the worlds species of turtles are in danger, from us. Entanglement in fishing gear, habitat destruction, pollution, and hunting have all taken their toll. Greenpeace is working to tackle destructive methods of fishing that catch and kill turtles. We’re also taking on climate change, pollution, and the destruction of nesting sites.

Olive Ridley Turtle in China
Olive Ridley Turtle in China

On World Turtle Day, and every other day, we need your help to protect their ocean homes.

We’re working to establish a global network of protected ocean sanctuaries on the open seas, areas beyond any one country’s own jurisdiction. Protecting these areas will help turtles.

A green turtle feeds on sea grass in the Maldives.
A green turtle feeds on sea grass in the Maldives.

So, on World Turtle Day please join us by adding your name to the call for ocean sanctuaries so we can lobby government on behalf of you, and our turtle-y awesome flippery friends.