Latest news with #turtles
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Can you spot the 3 differences in cute turtle drawings in under 10 seconds
A new brain teaser featuring a pair of sleepy-looking cartoon turtles has taken social media by storm - and it's not as easy as it looks. The side-by-side drawings, shared by X (formerly Twitter) user @BholanathDutta, challenge viewers to spot three subtle differences between two nearly identical illustrations. At first glance, the turtles appear to be mirror images of each other, right down to their relaxed expressions, round shells and tally-mark patterns. But eagle-eyed viewers will quickly realize something's a little off. The challenge? Find all three discrepancies in under 10 seconds. It may sound simple, but even the most confident puzzle-solvers have found themselves stumped. The image has racked up hundreds of views and sparked debate online, with many users boasting lightning-fast times - and others admitting defeat after staring for far too long. So what exactly separates the two turtles? The first difference is in the nose. If you look closely, the turtle on the top has a tiny nostril above its grin, giving it a slightly more realistic expression. That bottom drawing has no nose making the turtle look even more uninterested. The second variation hides in the turtle's shell. Among the dozens of tally-mark shapes scrawled across its back, one grouping in the bottom image features a bright yellow line that stands out against the otherwise all-green markings of the top turtle. It's a tiny detail, but once you spot it, it's hard to miss. And finally, the third difference lies in the lower part of the turtle's shell. Just above their little webbed feet, both turtles have a rim that outlines the base of the shell - but look closely, and you'll notice that the bottom turtle's shell rim is a noticeably lighter shade of green compared to the one on top. If you managed to catch all three differences in under 10 seconds, congratulations - you've got the eyes of a hawk and the reflexes to match. But if it took a little longer, you're not alone. These kinds of visual puzzles are meant to trip up even the most observant minds. As brain teasers like this continue to captivate users online, experts say they offer more than just fun - they also provide a quick mental workout, helping to improve attention to detail, concentration, and short-term memory.
CBC
25-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Turtle taxi service seeks Quebec volunteers to transport injured reptiles to rehab
Launched in 2024, Taxi Carapace is a transportation service for turtles — more specifically, injured turtles — that operates in Quebec. The initiative is run by the Nature Conservancy of Canada and aims to maximize injured turtles' chances of survival by having volunteers safely and quickly transport the reptiles to a specialized rehabilitation centre in Laval, Que. With Quebec's eight species of native freshwater turtles all designated as either endangered or vulnerable, the organization is now looking for more volunteer drivers. Habitat destruction and degradation are contributing factors to the situation, and some species, like the wood turtle, are also threatened by poaching and illegal trade, according to Montreal's Espace pour la vie. But Francisco Retamal-Diaz, a project manager with Nature Conservancy of Canada, said "one of the most detrimental things for the population is road mortality." Critical times of the year include the spring from late May to early June, when turtles start moving around after hibernation, then in July, when female turtles make their way to nesting sites, and then again around October, when they travel back to their hibernation sites. Retamal-Diaz explained that turtles exhibit site fidelity, meaning they will return to the same summer habitat and nesting habitat, year after year. "So pretty much everywhere in the world where there are turtles and there are humans, roads are being constructed and turtles will not adapt their movements and they will have to cross every year at the same spot," he said, adding it's a behaviour that can be passed on through the genes. Death of 1 adult turtle can set population back decades The turtles' inability to adapt and move as quickly as other animals makes them especially vulnerable when crossing roads. Because it can take time for turtles to reach reproductive maturity, from 10 to 20 years depending on the species, the death of even just one adult turtle in a road accident can set the population back 20 years, Retamal-Diaz said. That's where the need for volunteers comes into play. "This is why we created the platform Nature Conservancy of Canada Retamal-Diaz said. "Its purpose is to document road mortality and where there are turtles on the road, so we can prevent and plan mitigation measures such as fences or signs that are warning the drivers." WATCH | Learning about turtles and why they matter: It's World Turtle Day! Here's why they matter 2 days ago Duration 2:58 Friday is World Turtle Day. It's a yearly reminder to protect turtles and their disappearing natural habitats. Terre Chartrand is a land-based educator from Red Osier Guild, a Kitchener-based collective focused on environmental conservation and survival. Chartrand told CBC K-W's Aastha Shetty about why turtles are important to parks and natural spaces in Waterloo region. In addition to people reporting turtle sightings or ensuring they get across the road safely, volunteers are needed to transport turtles that are in distress to Éco-Nature's Centre de réhabilitation des tortues du Québec in Laval. Éco-Nature says it has been involved in turtle conservancy work for 20 years, with activities aimed at protecting, restoring and recreating turtle habitats. 50 volunteers, 3,600 kms Sometimes, volunteers with Taxi Carapace will offer a shuttle service of sorts, with drivers handing over a turtle at a meet-up point. With turtles found across southern Quebec, as far west as Abitibi and all the way to the Côte-Nord in the east, it can be a lot of ground to cover. To date, Nature Conservancy of Canada says more than 50 volunteers have joined the taxi initiative, covering over 3,600 kilometres. While veterinarians can help stabilize a turtle awaiting transport, the rehab centre provides specialized care, including turtle physiotherapy. It's important for injured turtles to build up their muscles before being released back into the wild, Retamal-Diaz said, otherwise they would be more vulnerable to predators. Of the 93 turtles released in 2024, 32 were released by volunteers, according to Nature Conservancy of Canada. It might seem like a lot of effort is going into saving the lives of a small reptile, but Retamal-Diaz underscored the critical role they play in maintaining ecosystem health. He compared the turtle's role to that of a janitor. "Most turtles are a generalist. So they eat algae, they eat fish, they eat snails, they eat a lot of things. And so they contribute in maintaining healthy wetlands," Retamal-Diaz said. He added wetlands provide several benefits, including flood protection, water quality improvement and climate change mitigation.
CBC
23-05-2025
- General
- CBC
It's World Turtle Day! Here's why they matter
Friday is World Turtle Day. It's a yearly reminder to protect turtles and their disappearing natural habitats. Terre Chartrand is a land-based educator from Red Osier Guild, a Kitchener-based collective focused on environmental conservation and survival. Chartrand told CBC K-W's Aastha Shetty about why turtles are important to parks and natural spaces in Waterloo region.
CBC
23-05-2025
- General
- CBC
On World Turtle Day, this Kitchener educator shares why turtles are 'crucial' to nature
When the sun comes out, so do the turtles — right in time for World Turtle Day. "There's a lot that we can learn from the turtle," said Terre Chartrand, a land-based educator from the Red Osier Guild in Waterloo region. Land-based learning is an Indigenous practice that guides a person to understand nature by applying traditional knowledge and teachings. Chartrand says there are many interesting facts to share about the turtles living in Waterloo region. "Turtles adapted from this massive amount of wetlands to living in these little civic ponds. To me, that illustrates the resilience of the turtle. It can go from living in the most ideal circumstances to something that is largely fed by the storm water of the city," she said. "They're part of an ecology that makes that water more potable, more fresh, more clean. Their presence is pretty crucial in the ecology. It takes 60 years to replace a single turtle. They live to be up to 100 years old." Significance of the turtle Chartrand says turtles hold a special place in many Indigenous cultures across Canada. "For both Haudenosaunee cultures and Anishinaabe cultures, the creation story involves the turtle. For us, the turtle represents the land itself. In the sacred teachings, it represents truth and resilience." In the Anishinaabe creation story, the first woman to arrive on Earth, Sky Woman, is given a home on a great turtle's back. "There's just a bunch of virtues that turtles have," Chartrand said. "Sometimes if we say that someone is like a turtle, it means that they take more time. And if that time is a chosen time to take, then what are you learning because you're not rushing through life?" Chartrand is inviting people to join her and the Red Osier Guild for a turtle walk on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Lakeside Park in Kitchener. It's a free event. You can learn more about it by visiting the Red Osier Guild's Facebook page. Andrew Holland is a spokesperson for the Nature Conservancy of Canada. He says drivers should be mindful of turtles on the road. "They come up to lay their eggs. They mate. They like to sunbathe... But they're not very good at looking for cars," he said. "They'll be on sandy roadsides, they'll be along highways. It's really important to, at a bare minimum, keep a lookout for them." He says there are eight different species of turtles in Ontario, including snapping turtles, Blanding's turtles, wood turtles and painted turtles. All of them are at risk and all of their populations have been in decline. "The main reason is road collisions," Holland said, encouraging drivers to slow down when they see a turtle on the road. "If you're able to pull over to the side of the road and exit your vehicle safely, great... If you can, pick up the turtle and hold it like a hamburger with both of your hands, use gloves if you can, and carry it across the road. Then place it on the side of the road across the road and back away to give it some space." He says turtle season runs throughout the summer months, with their most active season starting in May.
Times
18-05-2025
- Times
8 of the best beaches in Europe for summer 2025
It's difficult to pinpoint something quite so subjective as 'best beach'. Would your ideal iteration be sandy, pebbly, built-up, child-friendly or almost entirely footprint-free? Are shade or snorkelling key requirements, or do you need a soundtrack and cocktails? The conundrum gets trickier still when your options span an entire continent — and Europe is hardly short of brilliant beaches. I've certainly spread my towel on some memorable shores in my 20-odd years as a travel writer, from the pebbles in my hometown of Brighton to the sands of Laganas Bay in Greece, where turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. These are just two favourites I've had to leave aside in the interests of limiting this list to the headliners. My selection is by no means exhaustive, but I've done my best to include options that might appeal to every taste. And if I've missed your favourite? Share it in the comments below. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue Best for family holidays Sandy beaches are commonplace on Portugal's south coast, but Martinhal is a standout among them. Located near the seaside village of Sagres (which, before the Age of Discovery, was considered to be at the edge of the world), this blue-flag beauty fills a sheltered bay within the unspoiled acres of Costa Vicentina Natural Park. Atlantic breezes keep things cool on even the hottest summer days, as well as providing propulsion for blokarting (think sail-powered go-karting), windsurfing and other seaside sports. Day trips, available to book through local companies or platforms such as GetYourGuide, might take you dolphin-spotting or to Cape St Vincent's wave-beaten cliffs, or you can venture out along miles of well-marked coastal hiking and biking trails. Faro airport is less than a 90-minute drive away, and although you probably wouldn't be so keen on sea swimming in winter, it's pleasantly balmy here outside the main beach season, too. Loos and café nearby, lifeguards. Water quality: blue flag status Martinhal Sagres Family Beach Resort has stylish rooms and family-friendly villas, beach access, and excellent facilities. • Read our full guide to Portugal Best for seaside chic (and surfing) In 1854 Napoleon III built a summer residence for his wife Empress Eugénie beside La Grande Plage, the most famous of Biarritz's six beaches. The imperial palace still crowns the promenade, although the parasols and crinolines sported by strollers in Eugénie's day have long since been usurped by surfboards and wetsuits. What have survived are the rows of brightly striped 'beach tents' that stylishly provide shelter from the elements. Nearby, watch surfers at play on Côte des Basques' rolling waves, then return for sunset cocktails at the Casino Municipal. Like any European beach resort, it's at its very best in summer, when there are direct flights from the UK to Biarritz too. Loos, café, lifeguards. Water quality: excellent The former palace is now the five-star Hotel du Palais, a grand Hyatt property providing lodgings fit for an emperor,with a spa and an outdoor pool. Best for year-round sunshine One of Gran Canaria's most popular spots has a staggering 400 hectares of sand dunes and a beach that stretches for several kilometres between the resorts of Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles. Parts of it feel wild, others have rows of loungers, and there are clothing-optional and LGBT-friendly areas too. Portions of the beach have lifeguards, making it a good family-friendly option. And the other perk? A climate that's summery all year round. Loos, café, lifeguards. Water quality: blue flag status Stay at the (prettier) Maspalomas end of the beach, basing yourself at Seaside Palm Beach, a retro-chic, five-star hideaway situated in a palm grove. • Read our full guide to the Canary Islands Best for city slickers Rhodes Town doesn't just have 2,000 years of history up its sleeve. A 10-minute walk beyond the walls of this medieval marvel lies sand-and-pebble Elli, one of Europe's loveliest urban beaches. Whether you choose to stretch out on the sand, relax on a lounger, have lunch at loud-and-lively Ronda Beach Bar or leap into the generally calm sea from the diving platform, you'll enjoy the cool, clear waters and smashing views towards Turkish mountains. If you're visiting on a ferry or cruise, Elli is walkable from the Water quality: excellent Marella Cruises features Rhodes in both its Aegean Gems and Grecian Discovery itineraries, among others. • Read our full guide to Greece Best for coolcationers If you're not a fan of searing summers, a northerly beach might be more your thing. Like a Teutonic take on the Hamptons, Sylt (a North Frisian island near the border with Denmark) has long been a favourite for cashed-up Germans. Aim for Hörnum, the island's southernmost town, and its marvellously sandy Hauptstrand beach. Facing the North Sea, it has acres of space and excellent water sports. Hörnum's east-facing shore offers busier beaches; don't miss the seal who hangs out near the harbour in the hope of being thrown the odd fish. You, meanwhile, can dine out on local oysters at one of the many seafood restaurants in the town. Get there by train across a scenic causeway; Hamburg has direct connections to Sylt, taking around three café, lifeguards. Water quality: excellent The beachfront Budersand Hotel features golf, a spa and Michelin-starred dining. • Read our full guide to Germany Best for kiss-me-quick kitsch The advent of foreign holidays was bad news for Britain's Victorian beach resorts, many of which fell into steep decline from around the 1960s. Of the few resorts that kept themselves current (Brighton and Blackpool spring to mind), Bournemouth shines the brightest thanks to its magnificent main beach: a generous drift of apricot sand backed by cliffs, a promenade and colourful beach huts. There are car parks and on-street parking nearby, but you may want to travel by train to avoid spending half your day searching for a space. Tick off its seaside essentials (ice cream, fish and chips, deckchairs and the pier's arcades and attractions), then seek out classier finds like the excellent Russell-Cotes gallery and museum, an opulent Victorian villa crammed with the original owner's art and treasures. Nearby WestBeach restaurant, right by the pier, has some of the best seafood in town. Loos, café, lifeguards. Water quality: variable, check local conditions With its luxury spa and chic pool deck, the Nici brings an unexpected touch of Miami-meets-the-French-Riviera to Bournemouth's waterfront. • Read our full review of the Nici Best for adventure-seekers As the name of its Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast) suggests, jewel-toned shores are a thing in Sardinia, but head to the La Maddalena isles (by ferry or on a day-trip)and the colours get crazier still. This archipelago — with seven main islands near Sardinia's northern tip — is known for unspoiled shores and turquoise seas, but its most unique spot is Spiaggia Rosa (Pink Beach). This rose-coloured bay on Budelli is utterly extraordinary. Being part of a National Park, it's undeveloped and unspoiled, so the best way to experience this magical place is on an excursion, whether you're staying on neighbouring La Maddalena or over on mainland Sardinia (where there's a greater choice of hotels). Water quality: excellent GetYourGuide provides island-hopping excursions by tour boat and catamaran from the north coast resort of Palau. • Read our full guide to Italy Best for party people There's a genuine sense of escapism at this pale-sand Ibizan on the south coast, less than half an hour by bus from Ibiza Town, it'shidden among pine-clad dunes and salt pans where wild flamingos reside, but this immersion in nature is balanced by lively, credible beach bars. Jockey Club is the most upbeat, Sa Trinxa feels more bohemian, and Chiringay (around the headland) is an LGBT favourite. Whichever you choose, expect to end up dancing barefoot in the sand to Balearic beats (although the beach is still family-friendly). At sunset, relocate to Experimental Beach for memorable cocktails and views. Loos (within café), café, lifeguards. Water quality: excellent, although there can be deposits of sea grass on the shore Save yourself from schlepping into town by staying at Boutique Hostal la Curandera de Salinas, where the modest but stylish rooms are within walking distance of the shore. • Read our full guide to Ibiza
