Turtles in her world

From a tiny baby bog turtle to a massive leatherback, turtles come in many shapes and sizes. Whether gliding through the open ocean or slowly trudging across desert plains, these fascinating animals can be found in almost every ecosystem around the world.

The U.S. is home to a rich variety of freshwater and sea turtles with 57 species -- that’s approximately 18 percent of the world’s turtles. Started in 2000, World Turtle Day gives us the opportunity to bring attention to and protect these remarkable reptiles, along with their habitat around the world. Turtles play a vital role in the ecosystem, helping spread seeds on land and supporting other marine life by sea.