Rarely is there an animal more beloved by humanity than the turtle. These shelled creatures can be found in virtually all corners of the globe and have found their way into parables, mythology and all forms of popular media.
Turtles have existed on Earth since before the dinosaurs. At World Turtle Day at the Natural History Society of Maryland, meet and interact with over a dozen species, learn about the latest conservation efforts, and see specimens from the NHSM collections including the first bog turtle found in Maryland in 1940, fossil turtle shells, turtle eggs, put together a turtle skeleton, learn about the rise and fall of Maryland terrapin populations. In addition you can feed a tortoise and even take a photo with one.
World Turtle Day was created in 1990 as an annual observance to help people celebrate and protect these beloved creatures and their vanishing habitats around the world. There are 17 types of turtles that call Maryland home. Of those, 12 species are threatened by habitat loss and 9 are experiencing population decline. All four sea turtle species found in Maryland are protected by the ESA.
Please arrive during your selected time slot and head to the check in tent. There is no limit to how long you can stay, so enjoy your visit! Kids 3 and younger – FREE.
- 10:00 AM
- 11:00 AM
- 12:00PM
- 1:00PM
- 2:00 PM
