Saving turtles A kids' guide to helping endangered creatures

Gr 5 Up-Written by a veterinarian working directly in the field of turtle rescue, this title focuses on the efforts made to save and, eventually, release wild turtles that have been injured, primarily as a result of human interactions. A basic introduction to turtles and tortoises, including anatomy, habitat, and diet, provide enough background for readers to understand how fragile and susceptible these creatures are to changes in their environment. Carstairs takes children through the process of treating turtles, describing the most common types of injuries and the various medical techniques used. A lengthy explanation of the importance of releasing turtles back into their original habitat makes it clear that some turtles can never be returned to the wild if their original location is unknown. The straightforward, accessible text is accompanied by many photographs, some depicting fairly graphic injuries that are not for the faint of heart, with the occasional sidebar highlighting specific turtle-rescue practices. The book ends with information about field research being done on turtles, their living conditions, and worldwide efforts to save them, especially the protection of nesting areas, and how readers can help. A helpful glossary and a fairly extensive list of online resources is appended at the end. A solid choice for libraries looking to supplement their science and sustainability collections.-Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A veterinarian with a turtle-conservation center introduces readers to myriad threats facing these reptiles and what can be done to protect them from extinction. Of the roughly 300 species worldwide, more than half are threatened with extinction. Carstairs, the chief medical officer at the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre and professor of veterinary science, explains to readers clearly and concisely the many threats facing freshwater, marine and land turtles globally, such as loss of habitat, pollution, boat and car encounters, and the food and pet trades. The most interesting chapter offers a behind-the-scenes look at a hospital for severely injured turtles, explaining how injured turtles are rescued, treated, rehabilitated and released back into the wild. Other chapters offer good information on such subjects as anatomy and physiology, habitats, hatching and releasing, and field research. The attractively designed, abundantly illustrated book concludes with tips: some simple things young people can do to help turtles. An accessible, informative introduction to fascinating, threatened reptiles and what can be done to help them. (glossary, websites, index) (Nonfiction. 8-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Introduction Have you ever seen a turtle? Maybe you've come across one in a rural area near your home, or at a wildlife center or conservation area. Even if you've never seen a turtle "in real life," you probably know a few things about them: they have shells (and most can hide their heads inside them); they move slowly; they are cold-blooded reptiles; they can live for a long, long time. But there are many amazing things about turtles that you probably don't know. For example, turtles have been around for 220 million years--longer than the dinosaurs--and research tells us they haven't changed much since those prehistoric times. Small turtles can live as long as 50 years, while tortoises and sea turtles can live 100 years or longer. Turtles have no teeth and can't chew, which means they have to use other tools to help them eat. During the spring, summer and fall, they live and breathe the way humans do, with their lungs. But in the colder winter months, they can burrow into the mud at the bottom of a lake and hibernate, getting their oxygen in a different way. There's a lot more that we can learn about and from turtles, but time may be running out. Of the roughly 300 species of turtles that exist today, more than half are threatened with extinction, making turtles one of the most endangered vertebrates in the world. Freshwater, marine and land turtles are all affected. What's threatening this amazing species? We are! As the human race grows and takes up more space on the planet, turtles are losing their homes, suffering from the effects of pollution and being sought out as pets and food. They are killed by trucks and cars as they try to cross roads, and they are snared in fishing nets meant to catch other species. Very few of the eggs turtles lay survive to maturity. The future looks bleak. Thankfully, a community of scientists, environmentalists and concerned citizens has come together to help. All around the world, efforts are underway to protect and save turtles. In this book, you'll meet some of those people and learn about their work in education, rehabilitation and research. And you'll discover what you can do to help. But first, let's learn more about turtles. Excerpted from Saving Turtles: A Kids' Guide to Helping Endangered Species by Sue Carstairs All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.