Frequently Asked Questions

The evolutionary tree of turtles is 300 million years old and turtles have roamed Earth since the time of the dinosaurs. Unfortunately, these amazing creatures are facing major threats, many from humans. Turtles are one of the top two most-endangered groups of vertebrates, with approximately half the known species, of which there are more than 300, having a status of “Threatened” or worse. Nearly a dozen (12) species are now extinct in the wild and exist only in captive breeding programs. Turtles also play a critical ecological role in their natural environments. Many freshwater turtles help control aquatic vegetation, serve as scavengers, and help maintain rivers and lakes in a healthy condition. Turtles have occupied a substantial role in the cultures of many people groups around the world, which makes the human impact on these animals all the more concerning.

TheTurtleRoom believes in a multi-pronged approach to save our favorite species. First, we have a focus on education – both for the general public and those who already love turtles – through engaging presentations, social media, and other web-available content. It is also our goal to support private keepers and work to involve them in the conservation process instead of just the preservation process. Additionally, We are working to ensure the survival of many chelonian species through collaborative captive assurance colony programs to guard against potential extinction in the wild. Lastly, alongside our partner organizations worldwide, we are developing conservation and research programs for species-in-need within their home range to learn about the populations and enact measures to prevent extinction and promote recovery. We believe our collaborative model partnering with organizations who already have “boots on the ground” will lead to the greatest potential success for saving turtles in their home ranges.

While we are young and do not have the funding of the larger organizations, several variables set theTurtleRoom apart from other turtle conservation organizations. The first of these is our staunch belief in the importance of collaboration with many other organizations already doing great work; the number of these collaborations will continue to grow. Secondly, our captive assurance colonies are not only focused on the species that are the most endangered. While that is an important part of what we do, we believe building colonies of relatively common species, while they are still common, is also an important measure we can take to safe-guard their future in the case they do come under more significant threats. While we are just getting started, our long-term plans for saving species involves a “complete” approach including education programs, population research, nest protection, captive breeding, and even poaching prevention. It is our goal to develop long-term programs with consistent funding; but we need your help to do that. To make the most out of your support, all of our staff currently work as volunteers. However, it is our hope that as we grow, we will be able to hire these staff so they can dedicate an even more significant part of their time to education and conservation action.

At our young age for a non-profit, we do not yet have a permanent stewardship fund set up to handle “routine” expenses, such as those related to the website and other expenses related to day-to-day operations. So, we cannot make the same promise as other organizations that 100% of your donation goes directly to conservation. However, we value your contributions so deeply that we work very hard to make sure each dollar is used wisely to meet our education, conservation, and research goals. If you have more questions, our Executive Director (Steve Enders) and Director of Development (Kaylin Martin) would be happy to talk with you about how your donation could be used.

Several factors are examined when theTurtleRoom is picking a species, location, country for a project. As a young non-profit, one of these factors is, obviously, the cost involved. We need to make sure our dollars get the most value, so it is important to select projects that have an impact and fit within our existing budget (which we are working hard to continually grow). We also value the turtles native to our home country, so our in-situ work has begun with species in the United States that need protection, such as the North American Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) and Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin ssp.).

As we grow, we plan to work globally where threatened, endangered, and critically endangered species exist. Factors that will be considered to determine the most important projects include species richness (number of species), percent endemism (number that are found only in that country), and degree of endangerment. We already have relationships with organizations in several other countries and hope to begin working alongside some of them soon.

To renew your membership, follow this link and log into your account. If you encounter issues, please contact us at this address.

Your membership expiration date can be found on the My Membership page.

To edit your name, email address, or password, use the Edit Account page. To update physical addresses, use the Edit Address page. For other issues related to your membership, use the My Membership page.

There are several effective methods to do this. First, you can check out our social media accounts: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or YouTube. We do send out an email newsletter, which is a great way to stay up-to-date on all tTR news and announcements. Members receive these e-mails automatically, as a membership benefit. If you are not currently receiving the newsletter, contact our Executive Director (Steve Enders) or Director of Communications & Development (Ryan Neubauer) to make sure that we have your current e-mail address in our database. To ensure that messages from tTR do not get diverted to your junk mail or spam folder, please add [email protected] to your address book or safe list. We are hoping to increase the frequency and get on a regular schedule emailing a members newsletter.

At our young age for a non-profit, we do not yet have a permanent stewardship fund set up to handle “routine” expenses, such as those related to the website and other expenses related to day-to-day operations. So, we cannot make the same promise as other organizations that 100% of your donation goes directly to conservation. However, we value your contributions so deeply that we work very hard to make sure each dollar is used wisely to meet our education, conservation, and research goals. If you have more questions, our Executive Director (Steve Enders) and Director of Development (Kaylin Martin) would be happy to talk with you about how your donation could be used.

Your donation history can found on the Donation History page.

Your recurring donations can found on the Donation History page.

Captive breeding and ex-situ conservation is a key component of theTurtleRoom’s conservation strategy. Many species are shrinking in wild numbers so quickly, that captive assurance colonies are necessary to protect against extinction. In fact, almost a dozen (12) species are now considered extinct in the wild and exist only in captivity!

So yes, theTurtleRoom currently owns more than 100 turtles and tortoises. Additionally, our volunteer staff own personal animals that are accessible to the organization for conservation, many of which are considered theTurtleRoom animals because of their purpose. TheTurtleRoom also has animals on loan to AND from other institutions, such as the Turtle Survival Alliance. This total collection accessible to theTurtleRoom for conservation action includes hundreds of specimens representing dozens of species. It is our long-term goal to maximize the conservation potential of the animals that we hold through well-planned breeding programs and eventually to begin returning offspring to their home countries, if and when such a goal is attainable.

While some organizations only focus on species with higher levels of concern, theTurtleRoom aims to maintain captive populations for species of all status rankings, to safeguard both those is great need and those that are currently common (because it can be difficult to predict when a species will suddenly become imperiled). Our Animal Management Committee uses several factors to determine which species should be priorities for acquisition and development of assurance colonies.

TheTurtleRoom often is looking for new people to join our team. Visit our Join Our Team page for more information. If you have skills that don’t fit a current opening, we still may be able to use them, so feel free to contact our Executive Director (Steve Enders) about what you have to offer.

TheTurtleRoom is always looking for individuals, business, and organizations willing to partner with us in a substantial way to help fund important project. Contact our Executive Director (Steve Enders) or Director of Communications & Development (Ryan Neubauer) for more information on how you can partner with us.

If you find turtles in a safe place, leave them there.

Turtles are very slow to mature and very few hatchlings live to adulthood. For these reasons, removing any individuals from the wild can greatly impact local populations. There are other, better ways to get a pet.

Generally, wild turtles should be left where they are found. However, they sometimes end up on a road or other similar unsafe places. If you find a turtle in the road, it’s best to simply help them across safely and let them continue in the same direction that they were already going. Being safe around traffic is always important for turtle rescuers as well!

If you see turtles on their backs at the side of the road, carefully turn them over and put them well away from the traffic. Gently put them on nice flat areas of grass or dirt facing in the same direction they were going; avoid rocky places and ditches.

Long-tailed turtles in the United States could be snapping turtles, which can bite when feeling threatened, especially when on land. They can be safely moved out of the street with a long-handled shovel but be sure to be very gentle. You should NEVER pick them up by the tail.

Keeping a turtle as a pet is a significant, long-term commitment. Wild turtles should never be taken home as pets. Be sure that you buy your turtle from a reputable breeder.

Remember, turtles can live a long time – up to 80 years for some species, even over 100 for others! Be sure that you are ready for that kind of commitment. You may need to put the animal in your will. Please research the diet, habitat, and light requirements for the species that you are considering keeping as a pet. For most species, an aquarium is not sufficient. They will also need a larger habitat as they continue to grow.

NEVER release a pet turtle into the wild. Turtles kept in captivity may not have the important nutrients or skills to survive through the cold winter. In addition, your pet turtle may not be a species native to your area and should not interbreed with wild turtles. Captive turtles may also carry diseases or parasites that the local population is not used to dealing with and could significantly damage the local population. For these reasons, it is very important that if you no longer want your pet turtle and do not know where it was captured, you should try to find a capable new owner. For help, contact a local herpetology society, rescue, zoo, or wildlife rehabber. Your state’s department of wildlife web page is a usually a great place to find lists of certified rehabbers.

Participate in local community or river cleanups. Healthy turtle populations start with a healthy habitat.

Don’t litter!

Leave fallen trees and branches in place along shorelines. Turtles use these as a platform for basking in the sun.

If you find injured or sick turtles, take them immediately to a turtle specialist. Call your local humane society, wildlife rehabber, or zoo for the name of a turtle expert near you.

Don’t buy real tortoiseshell barrettes, brushes, ornaments or jewelry. Make sure it’s plastic before buying anything that looks like tortoiseshell.

Avoid restaurants with turtle soup, turtle eggs, or turtle meat on the menu.

Don’t let your pet dog or cat run free where they can injure or kill wildlife. Make sure to supervise them and keep them on a leash.

Become a member of theTurtleRoom.

Participate in Citizen Science Projects. You can contact us to get connected with one of these.

Support legislation protecting turtles from collection from the wild for the pet trade, food, or export to other countries.