About 200 million years ago, when turtles first appeared, they were safe.
As time passed, this was not the case.
Turtles became important for not only food, but for medicinal purposes. Their shells were, and still are, used as decorative pieces and even as musical instruments.
Some species have become endangered or threatened due to habitat alterations. Housing projects, agricultural changes, and flood control dams result in destruction of natural areas for turtles. The growth of roads and interstates, not only destroy habitats but create another obstacle: traffic.
When considering the time it takes for a hatchling turtle to mature, the concern for decreasing numbers of adult turtles and tortoises grows.
Turtles and tortoises are suseptible to disease when stressed, due to change of environment, including temperature, humidity, availability for food, and seasonal changes. When health is challenged that in turn effects turtle colonies and reproduction.
Some Importers and exporters rely on wild-caught turtles for supplying pet stores with adult turtles and their offsprings.
It would be very rare to find a turtle in a pet shop that was not captured from its natural environment and ending up in a tank, waiting to be sold to its new owner.
Whether on a nature hike in the woods, driving along a road, or fishing from a bank of a large pond or stream, turtles are found and brought home to be the exciting new pet.
I wonder how many end up being a healthy long-term pet, and not ending up being too much to care for, or worse, dying because of lack of knowledge of care that it needs.
Many turtle owners think the best thing to do when they no longer want their turtle or tortoise is to release it in the outdoors. They believe that being in nature would be the best thing for them. This is not the correct thing to do.
There are many ways to help in the conservation of turtles.
I have listed some of them below.
Do not pick up a turtle from the wild. If there is one in the middle of a road, place it on the side in the direction it was facing.
Do not release pet turtles in the wild. Turtles have different parasites and releasing a turtle from an area where it did not come from, can expose the existing turtles to illness.
Do not have a turtle as a pet until you have researched the care of that particular species.
When keeping adult subspieces, keep them separated to avoid the possibility of mixed species hatchlings.
Contact your Department of Natural Resources for rules and regulations regarding your states' native species of turtles and tortoises.
If you find an injured turtle, call the Division of Fish and Wildlife or your local vet.
When purchasing a turtle or tortise, buy one that is captive bred.
Becoming involved with wildlife area preservations is one way of conserving turtles and tortoises. Awareness of environmental changes and effects, such as insecticides and construction are also important factors.
The photos below show issues regarding conservation.
The photo on the left shows a painted turtle that was hit by a car. Some people actually do run over turtles intentionally. The second photo is a box turtle, taken from the wild, that was not cared for properly. He is not the normal size of a box turtle, has shell deformities and cannot walk properly due to walking on smooth stones instead of a proper bedding. The third photo is of a painted turtle dug up from hibernation while a gasoline leak was being repaired. It is unknown how much gas she took in. Chemicals and insecticides are a concern for conservation efforts.
