Chelonian Research Institute for Turtles and Tortoises
Aug 30th, 2007 by Jennifer Rosenfeld
If your children are interested in learning more about tortoises and turtles, then you must plan a trip to the Chelonian Research Institute in Oviedo. The institute was founded by zoologist Dr. Peter Pritchard in 1998. He is a world-renowned expert who has amassed an amazing collection of tortoise and turtle artifacts. In addition to a large variety of skulls and shells, the institute also has live tortoises and turtles to see.
We recently went on a field trip there with our Earth Friends Roots and Shoots group and enjoyed it immensely. We were lucky enough to have Dr. Pritchard give us a tour. He was great with the children who were all 7 and under. He told the children about the tortoises and answered all of our questions. We brought celery and other greens to feed the tortoises. Those who wanted to were able to get into the enclosures to check the large tortoises out up close. He also brought some smaller tortoises out for the children to see and touch. My son and I did not go inside to see the artifacts, but from what I hear, they are amazing.
Be sure to wear clothing appropriate for the weather as the tortoises are housed outside. It was hot and humid the day we visited, so we wore t-shirts and shorts. You will also want to wear sneakers or other closed toe shoes. There are a number of anthills, and many people got bit the day we went.
For more information, contact the Chelonian Research Institute directly.
What a great pic!! Wish we could have been there that day!
We went to the Chelonian Institute about a year and a half ago and it was really great! My son (then 4) got a huge kick out of feeding the tortoises, and loved seeing the turtle bones inside the house. I enjoyed the artwork in the upstairs conference rooms!
I agree about dressing for the weather - whew! It was hot that day! And to get to feed the tortoises you must call ahead. Also it’s good to note that tortoises, while not agressive, do have very strong jaws. So if you bring food for them and want to feed them by hand, bring long foods, i.e. long carrots instead of baby carrots, etc. They love bananas, and will eat them skin and all!
Missy
Wow thank you for sharing.I have a huge tortoise fan in my house ! lol My daughter has actually been asking me for a tortoise as a pet.We already have 2 cats,1 dog,5 fish and 3 hermit crabs so as you can see we already have Noahs Ark going on over here .I never knew about this sanctuary!Thank you sharing!