Andy Rouse / Krefft's River Turtle (Emydura macquarii krefftii) at surface of in rainforest pond, Queensland, Australia

Edwin Giesbers / Two Malaysian box turtles (Cuora amboinensis) with heads above water, Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia

Michel Roggo / Yellow-spotted river turtle (Podocnemis unifilis), Los Lagos, Beni, Bolivia, October.

Yashpal Rathore / Assam Roofed Turtle (Pangshura sylhetensis) basking, endangered species, Kaziranga National Park, India

Robert Valentic / Murray river turtle (Emydura macquarii) basking at dusk, Yan Yean Reservoir, Melbourne, Australia.

Konrad Wothe / Amazon river turtles (Podocnemis unifilis) group basking on log, Tambopata National Reserve, Peru.

John Cancalosi / Snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) with Red-eared sliders (Pseudemys rubriventris) and River cooter (Pseudemys concinna) and Bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus), Maryland, USA, June.

Ashley Cooper / Striped necked terrapins (Mauremys caspica) in a river in Skala Eresou, Lesvos, Greece. June.

Jen Guyton / Brown wood turtle (Rhinoclemmys annulata) resting on a rock in a stream. La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica,

Lucas Bustamante / Brown land turtle (Rhinoclemmys annulata) amongst vegetation, Canande, Esmeraldas, Ecuador.

Lucas Bustamante / Three Yellow spotted / Amazon river turtles (Podocnemis unifilis) on log in water, Yasuni National Park, Orellana, Ecuador, Vulnerable species.

Paul Bertner / Yellow-spotted Amazon River Turtle (Podocnemis unifilis) with butterfly, Sani Lodge, Ecuador

Michel Roggo / Florida red-bellied turtle (Pseudemys nelsoni) Rainbow Springs, Rainbow Springs State Park, Florida, USA. March 2011. Photographed for The Freshwater Project

Paul Bertner / Yellow-spotted Amazon River Turtle (Podocnemis unifilis) group basking, Yasuni National Park, Ecuador

Rod Williams / Black-spotted turtle (Geoclemys hamiltonii) captive from Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan.

Melvin Grey / Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) juvenile approx. washed up on beach, Teifi River Estuary, Cardigan Bay, Wales, December 2006. This turtle was alive in this image, but died a few days after in cap...

Francois Savigny / Black pond turtle basking in sun {Melanochelys trijuga} Keoladeo Ghana NP, Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India

Nick Hawkins / Julia butterfly (Dryas iulia) puddling on the head of Black wood turtle, (Rhinoclemmys funerea) in lowland rainforests, Southeastern Nicaragua. August.

Rod Williams / Black-spotted turtle (Geoclemys hamiltonii) found in Indus and Ganges rivers in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan, captive

Robin Chittenden / Indian black turtle (Melanochelys trijuga) on tree trunk over water, Sri Lanka.

MYN / JP Lawrence / Pearl River map turtle (Graptemys pearlensis) the Bogue Chitto River, Mississippi, USA. July. Meetyourneighbours.net project

MYN / JP Lawrence / Pearl River map turtle (Graptemys pearlensis) the Bogue Chitto River, Mississippi, USA. July. Meetyourneighbours.net project

MYN / JP Lawrence / Pearl River map turtle (Graptemys pearlensis) the Bogue Chitto River, Mississippi, USA. July. Meetyourneighbours.net project

MYN / JP Lawrence / Pearl River map turtle (Graptemys pearlensis) the Bogue Chitto River, Mississippi, USA. July. Meetyourneighbours.net project

Aflo / Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle (Geoemyda japonica) Kunigami, Okinawa, Japan, August.

Cyril Ruoso / South American river turtle (Podocnemis expansa) Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, Amazon, Peru.

Scott Leslie / Eastern River Cooter (Pseudemys concinna), North Carolina

Konrad Wothe / Yellow-spotted Amazon River Turtle (Podocnemis unifilis), Peru

Luciano Candisani / South American River Turtle (Podocnemis expansa) hatchling, Oyapock River, Brazil

Luciano Candisani / South American River Turtle (Podocnemis expansa) hatchlings, Oyapock River, Brazil

Luciano Candisani / South American River Turtle (Podocnemis expansa) hatchling, Oyapock River, Brazil

Luciano Candisani / South American River Turtle (Podocnemis expansa) hatchlings in river, Oyapock River, Brazil

Axel Gomille / Assam roofed turtle (Kachuga sylhetensis) fourteen basking on log, Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India. Endangered species.

MYN / Andrew Snyder / South American Wood Turtle (Rhinoclemmys punctularia) looking up, Berbice River, Guyana, September. Meetyourneighbours.net project.

Sean Crane / Yellow-spotted Amazon River Turtle (Podocnemis unifilis) sunning itself, Pampas, Bolivia

Christophe Courteau / Giant South American turtle (Podocnemis expansa) baby held in human hand. Adults are the largest river turtle in South America. Captive babies in a Breeding and Re-introduction Center , at Hato El Ced...

Roland Seitre / Chinese three striped box turtle (Cuora trifasciata) portrait, captive at Allwetterzoo / All Weather Zoo, Munster, Germany. Critically endangered species, native to China and Vietnam.

Roland Seitre / Chinese three striped box turtle (Cuora trifasciata) portrait, captive at Allwetterzoo / All Weather Zoo, Munster, Germany. Critically endangered species. Native to Vietnam and China.

Roland Seitre / Chinese three striped box turtle (Cuora trifasciata) portrait, captive at Allwetterzoo / All Weather Zoo, Munster, Germany. Critically endangered species, native to China and Vietnam.

George Sanker / Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) taking over Florida Red-bellied Turtle's (Pseudemys nelsoni) sunning spot on a log. Hillsborough River State Park, Florida, USA.

Martin Gabriel / Black wood turtle (Rhinoclemmys funerea) on a log, Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica, February

John Cancalosi / Eastern river cooter (Pseudemys concinna concinna) Louisiana, USA, July.

Wild Wonders of Europe / Lundgren / European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) on river bank, Danube Delta, Romania, June.

Konrad Wothe / Wasserschildkröten sonnen sich am Sandoval Lake, Podocnemis unifilis; Tambopata Reservat, Peru, Südamerika / Amazon River Turtles; Podocnemis unifilis; Sandoval Lake, Tambopata National Reserve, Peru,...

MYN / Andrew Snyder / Yellow-spotted river turtle (Podocnemis unifilis) Yupukari, Guyana. Meetyourneighbours.net project

Alex Mustard / Florida softshell turtle (Apalone ferox) rests on the bed of a river. Rainbow River, Florida, United States of America.

Alex Mustard / Florida softshell turtle (Apalone ferox) in plants at the bottom of a river. Rainbow River, Florida, United States of America.

Alex Mustard / Florida softshell turtle (Apalone ferox) swimming over plants at the bottom of a river. Rainbow River, Florida, United States of America.

Alex Mustard / Florida softshell turtle (Apalone ferox) in plants at the bottom of a river. Rainbow River, Florida, United States of America.

Alex Mustard / Loggerhead musk turtle (Sternotherus minor) scurries across the bed of Rainbow River, Florida, United States of America.

Alex Mustard / Florida red-bellied cooter (Pseudemys nelsoni) swims over a riverbed. Crystal River, Florida, United States of America.

Cyril Ruoso / Matamata (Chelus fimbriatus) on riverbank, Pacaya Samiria National Park, Peru

Cyril Ruoso / South American River Turtle (Podocnemis expansa) hatchling, part of artificial incubation program, Pacaya Samiria National Park, Peru

ZSSD / Pig-nosed Turtle (Carettochelys insculpta), native to Australia and New Guinea

Bence Mate / Portrait of a Black wood turtle (Rhinoclemmys funerea), Santa Rita, Costa Rica

Andy Rouse / Krefft's River Turtle (Emydura macquarii krefftii) on log in rainforest, Queensland, Australia

Andy Rouse / Krefft's River Turtle (Emydura macquarii krefftii) at surface of rainforest pond, Queensland, Australia

Andy Rouse / Krefft's River Turtle (Emydura macquarii krefftii) crossing road, Queensland, Australia

Andy Rouse / Krefft's River Turtle (Emydura macquarii krefftii) crossing road, Queensland, Australia

Rod Williams / Pig nosed / Fly river turtle (Carettochelys insculpta) head portrait showing snout, Southern New Guinea, Northern Territory of Australia, vulnerable species. Captive.

Shibai Xiao / Four eye-spotted turtle (Sacalia quadriocellata) held in hand, Bawangling National Nature Reserve, Hainan Island, China.

Daniel Heuclin / South american river / Arrau turtle (Podocnemis expansa) swimming, River Yapacani, Bolivian Amazona.

Daniel Heuclin / South american river / Arrau turtle (Podocnemis expansa) basking on rock by side of river, River Yapacani, Bolivian Amazona.

Daniel Heuclin / Chiquitana woman collecting eggs of South american river / Arrau turtle (Podocnemis expansa) Rio Yapakani, Bolivian Amazona.

Daniel Heuclin / Chiquitana woman collecting eggs of the South american river / Arrau turtle (Podocnemis expansa) River Yapakani, Bolivian Amazona.

Daniel Heuclin / South american river / Arrau turtle (Podocnemis expansa) climbing on to rock, River Yapacani, Bolivian Amazona.

Rolf Nussbaumer / Spiny softshell (Apalone spinifera) adult basking on the river bank, Dinero, Lake Corpus Christi, South Texas, USA.

Pete Oxford / Yellow-spotted Amazon River Turtle (Podocnemis unifilis) sunbathing surrounded by butterflies sipping salts from the turtle's tears, Yasuni National Park, Amazon, Ecuador

Pete Oxford / Yellow-spotted Amazon River Turtle (Podocnemis unifilis) eggs for sale -illegally harvested from Yasuni National Park, Pompeya Market, Amazon, Ecuador

Pete Oxford / Yellow-spotted Amazon River Turtle (Podocnemis unifilis) eggs for sale - illegally harvested from Yasuni National Park, Pompeya Market, Amazon, Ecuador

Martin Willis / Krefft's River Turtle (Emydura krefftii) crossing road, Woodstock, Queensland, Australia

Barry Mansell / Alligator snapping turtle (Macroclemys temminckii) on the banks of the Yellow River, West Florida, USA, November

Pete Oxford / Yellow-spotted River Turtle (Podocnemis unifilis) nests being dug up to be relocated. All nests laid on low lying ground are dug up and relocated to an area not likely to flood. After hatching, young...

Pete Oxford / Yellow-spotted River Turtle (Podocnemis unifilis) nests being dug up to be relocated. All nests laid on low lying ground are dug up and relocated to an area not likely to flood. After hatching, young...

Pete Oxford / Giant River Turtle (Podocnemis expansa) after laying eggs leaves a trail on its way back to the water. Orinoco River, Venezuela. South America.

Pete Oxford / Yellow-spotted River Turtle (Podocnemis unifilis) nests being dug up to be relocated. All nests laid on low lying ground are dug up and relocated to an area not likely to flood. After hatching, young...

Pete Oxford / Yellow-spotted River Turtle (Podocnemis unifilis) nests being dug up to be relocated. All nests laid on low lying ground are dug up and relocated to an area not likely to flood. After hatching, young...

Pete Oxford / Yellow-spotted / Side Necked River Turtle (Podocnemis unifilis) tracks across sand, left by a female searching for a suitable place to lay eggs. Guarico Province, Venezuela.

Nature Production / Reeves / Chinese pond turtle (Chinemys reevesii) egg hatching, Japan, sequence 1/3

Nature Production / Reeves / Chinese pond turtle (Chinemys reevesii) egg hatching, newly hatched turtle walking away, Japan, sequence 3/3

Nature Production / Reeves / Chinese pond turtle (Chinemys reevesii) egg hatching, Japan, sequence 2/3

Pete Oxford / Yellow-spotted / Side Necked River Turtle (Podocnemis unifilis) tracks across sand, left by a female searching for a suitable place to lay eggs. Guarico Province, Venezuela.

Pete Oxford / Yellow-spotted River Turtles / Side Necked Terrapin (Podocnemis unifilis). A captive ready for reintroduction. Orinoco River, Apure Province, Venezuela. South America.

Pete Oxford / Giant River Turtle (Podocnemis expansa) after laying. La Playita Beach, Orinoco River, Venezuela.

Pete Oxford / Giant River Turtle (Podocnemis expansa) after laying eggs. Orinoco River, Venezuela.

Pete Oxford / Savanna Side-necked Turtle (Podocnemis vogli) in shallow water. Orinoco River, Apure Province, Venezuela.

Nature Production / Reeve's / Chinese pond turtle (Chinemys reevesii) walking through grass, leaving a track, Japan

Mark Bowler / Giant South American / Amazon River / Arrau Turtle (Podocnemis expansa) at water surface. Captive.

John Cancalosi / Fossil Snapping turtle (species unknown) Eocene Epoch, 50 million years old. Green River Formation, Wyoming, USA. Specimen credit: GeoDecor

Konstantin Mikhailov / Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus / Trionyx sinensis) resting on stone in river, River Bikin, Northern Ussuriland, Far East Russia, July.

Pete Oxford / South American River Turtle (Podocnemis expansa) researchers weighing individual, part of captive breeding program, Orinoco River, Apure, Venezuela

Pete Oxford / South American River Turtle (Podocnemis expansa) researchers weighing individual, part of captive breeding program, Orinoco River, Apure, Venezuela

Daniel Heuclin / Spot-legged Terrapin (Rhinoclemmys punctularia) partially submerged in water, French Guiana, South America

Rod Williams / Yellow-margined Box Turtle (Cuora flavomarginata) male standing on rocks. Captive, found in China, Japan, Taiwan. Endangered.

Pete Oxford / South American River Turtle (Podocnemis expansa) after laying eggs, part of reintroduction to the wild program, Playita Beach, Orinoco River, Apure, Venezuela

Pete Oxford / South American River Turtle (Podocnemis expansa) after laying eggs, part of reintroduction to the wild program, Playita Beach, Orinoco River, Apure, Venezuela