Carapace Conservation

10/16/2026

Issy decided it was shower time while hosing out the Galapagos pond. 💦🐢

10/02/2026

Meet Izzy! 🐢💚

Our Galápagos tortoise Izzy has discovered one of her favorite forms of enrichment: a good scratch with a brush!

Whether she’s exploring her surroundings, enjoying a snack, or stopping by for some brushing, Izzy always seems to know what she likes. These simple moments of enrichment give our tortoises opportunities to engage with their environment and add a little variety to their day.

And judging by Izzy’s reaction, she definitely approves of her spa treatment! 🐢🪥🌿

09/30/2026

🌵 A little piece of the Galápagos is growing here at Carapace!

This Opuntia cactus, native to the Galápagos Islands, was gifted to us by a friend and plant lover. While it may look like just another cactus, Opuntia plays an important role in the ecosystems of the Galápagos.

Across the islands, native Opuntia species provide food and shade for animals including giant tortoises and land iguanas, while their structure can also provide shelter for birds and other wildlife. In fact, conservationists are actively planting *Opuntia* as part of ecological restoration projects in the Galápagos, helping restore the plants and ecological relationships that make these islands so unique. 🌱

At Carapace, we’re interested in bringing some of that same sense of place to our grounds. By incorporating native or ecologically similar plants into the landscape, we can create an environment that feels more connected to the natural habitats our animals come from. These plants can do more than make the grounds beautiful—they can help tell the story of the ecosystems we work to protect.

This little cactus is just one step toward creating an immersive environment where visitors can experience a small piece of the landscapes that inspire our conservation work. 🌎

09/25/2026

Another great conservation story. 🐢

The Floreana tortoise went extinct from its native island in the 19th century, but conservationists have reintroduced hybrid tortoises carrying its DNA.

09/11/2026

Conservation is a collective responsibility. 🐢
Our latest video shows exactly how community support fuels our daily work to protect, rehabilitate, and preserve endangered tortoise species. By understanding the urgent challenges these animals face, we can work together to ensure their long-term survival.
🎥 See our mission in action: https://youtu.be/KNPVp9mG1oc
Share you favorite species below in the comments below.👇

Check out the turtle-y awesome moments with our official recap vide...

09/06/2026

Oh what!!! I noticed a large, likely female, California tarantula curled up on the edge of the path tonight during lock ups. She seemed stunned, but not dead, so I left her and when I came back through to check on her this is what I saw! A giant tarantula hawk carrying her off. It’s a sad but beautiful scene.

09/05/2026

The leopard tortoise we had the vet evaluate continues to improve and is chowing down on some mulberry leaves after his soak.

09/03/2026

We are thrilled to announce the standby generator has been fully funded! Thank you for the love, support, and donations that made it possible. We have already placed the order! It’s a process so stay tuned for updates on the install. THANK YOU!