popsci: On May 23, 2000, the nonprofit American Tortoise Rescue established @WorldTurtleDay, to “help people celebrate and protect turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats around the world.” The obvious question is why an organization devoted to tortoises would care about turtles. Well, the answer is that turtles and tortoises are pretty similar. They’re both reptiles of the order Testudines, and they both rely on a shell for protection. Many species of turtle are at risk of extinction, but perhaps none as acutely as sea turtles—nearly all species are classified as endangered. And tortoises too are at risk as they continue to suffer from habitat loss. All said, turtles and tortoises are awesome and worthy of our protection (each and every day). Here are a bunch of adorable turtles to help you celebrate World Turtle Day – Gatlinburg Garden Castle Rainbow Tower Library Imagination Station Temple Water Spirit Guardian Labyrinth Treasury Magic Healing