Turtles and Tortoises

Slow, steadfast, and full of quiet wisdom, turtles and tortoises belong to the ancient order Testudines, a lineage that has roamed the Earth for more than two hundred million years, long before humans ever set foot on these islands. In Bali, their presence graces both land and sea, from the ancient sea turtles gliding effortlessly through turquoise waves to the freshwater turtles resting beneath shaded riverbanks and ponds. Each shell tells a story of endurance, adaptation, and the timeless rhythm of life that connects land, water, and sky. These gentle reptiles are vital threads in the web of Bali’s ecosystems. Sea turtles help maintain the health of seagrass beds and coral reefs, while freshwater species play their part in keeping rivers and wetlands alive. Yet their journey is not without peril, as pollution, habitat loss, and illegal trade threaten their existence. Still, they endure, returning year after year to the same shores, guided by instincts older than memory itself. Here, you can explore their world, their forms, behaviors, and habitats, and learn about the efforts to protect them. Each species featured tells a tale of resilience and balance, inviting us to slow down, look closer, and remember our shared responsibility to the living world that sustains us all. Together with Bali’s many other reptiles such as snakes, lizards, and skinks, these ancient travelers remind us that even the quietest lives play a powerful role in the story of the island’s wild heart.