🐢 Meet Spinner: Our First Special Needs Turtle and Lifelong Fighter

Spinner may be tiny, but she’s nothing short of a miracle. A very old three-toed box turtle, Spinner was the first special needs turtle to arrive at our sanctuary—and she’s been inspiring us every day since.

Due to a spinal injury—likely caused by a car or human—Spinner constantly turns in one direction and cannot use her limbs properly. For the last 20 years, she has been hand-fed with care, and against all odds, she continues to live a healthy, active life. Her favorite snack? Super worms, of course!

Spinner’s resilience is at the heart of everything we celebrate on World Turtle Day®—the determination to keep going, no matter what.

🎨 Spinner’s Art Contest! 

In honor of Spinner’s enduring spirit, we’re inviting artists of all ages to submit turtle-inspired art for our Art Contest. Paint, draw, sculpt, doodle—there’s no wrong way to shellebrate her story.

Use #SpinnersArtContest to share your creation and join us in honoring turtles who thrive despite challenges.

Join in on Facebook or Instagram - share your best work by May 23, 2025!

And check out all the contests here!

📚 Fun Turtle Fact:

 Three-toed box turtles have a hinged shell that lets them close up tightly for protection—but Spinner reminds us that even the best defense can’t stop everything. What matters most is how we care for animals after they’ve been hurt.

Thank you for following Spinner's journey and for supporting the sanctuary. 

We’re so grateful to have you as part of our turtle-loving community, and we can't wait to see your entries in Spinner's Art Contest!

Learn more and find more ways to shellebrate on May 23rd and all year long: worldturtleday.org/wtd