celebrate turtles – both freshwater and marine species – and tortoises, raise awareness about the endangered species and encourage action to be taken to preserve them. The main difference between the two reptiles is that turtles live in the water most of the time, while tortoises live on land. Other differences include the shape of their shells (turtles have flat, streamlined shells, while tortoises have large dome shaped shells); their diet (turtles are omnivores, while tortoises are herbivores) and their lifespan (turtles live between 20 and 40 years, while tortoises can live up to 150 years).
Illegal trade in live freshwater turtles and tortoises for the pet trade and demand for the eggs, meat and shells of marine turtles continues. The demand for the live pet trade, particularly in Asia, is having a detrimental impact on the rich diversity of freshwater turtles and tortoises that exist there. To illustrate the volume of turtles and tortoises being traded today, the Indian star tortoise, was the most commonly seized between 2000-2015, where it is estimated that over 34,000 individuals were removed from trade (CITES, CoP 17, Doc. 73). Similarly, the over-exploitation and illegal taking from the wild of marine turtles, globally, has led to all eight species now being classified as Endangered.
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