Turtles of the World

These shelled reptiles predate and outlasted the dinosaurs and have, in typically indomitable fashion, spread to fill almost every ecological niche on Earth. Turtles serve vital roles in seed dispersal and environmental alteration, and cultures around the world revere them as symbols of patience, longevity, wisdom and perseverance.

Although they are loved by many, the 356 species of turtles and tortoises around the world are dwindling due to human activities that alter their habitat and disrupt their populations.

In the Turtles of the World gallery, guests get to know more about these amazing reptiles, from their diversity and their fascinating adaptations to threats to their survival and the ways humans can help safeguard them.