Wave & Wander Refuge

04/12/2026

Big News!!!! 🙌🏻

04/05/2026

Happy Easter! 🥚🐢🌷
Throwback to when Atlas was still egg shaped! 🥹

04/02/2026

It’s finally starting to feel like Spring in Southeast Alaska. Atlas has been enjoying the sun shining through our living room windows these past few days. ☀️💛

02/28/2026

Tortoise and Turtles are often referred to as Generational Pets.

One of the most remarkable benefits of owning a tortoise is their impressive lifespan. Depending on the species, tortoises can live anywhere from 30 to over 100 years. For example, the Sulcata tortoise can live up to 70 years in captivity, while the Galápagos tortoise can exceed 100 years. This longevity means that tortoises often become multi-generational pets that can be passed down within families, fostering a long-lasting bond not just with one owner but with several members across time.

This extended lifespan allows owners to develop a deep connection with their tortoise and observe its growth and personality develop over decades. Unlike many short-lived pets, tortoises provide continuity and stability, which can be particularly rewarding for those who want a pet with which they can share significant portions of their life journey. 💕

02/16/2026

This is so scary. I am so happy she was able to escape.
Frequent safety checks on heat lamps and other heating devices are a must when keeping reptiles. 🙏🏻❤️🐢

02/16/2026

Atlas loves his weekend freedom in the house. 🥰

Quick Facts: Sulcata Tortoise 🐢

* Also known as the African Spurred Tortoise.
* From the Sahara Desert.
* Lifespan: 70–100+ years.
* Weight: 88lb - 170lb (up to 220+ lb).
* 3rd largest tortoise in the world.
* Strong diggers and very hardy.
* Eats grasses and leafy plants.

01/31/2026

Aloha! My husband and I took a little trip to Maui recently. 🥰🌴 We were able to spend some quality time with these beautiful Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, also known as Honu.
Honu are protected under U.S. law, and it is recommended to stay at least 10ft away from them. Adult Green Sea Turtles can grow up to 5 feet long and weigh as much as 500 lbs.
I was in awe of the beauty and peacefulness of these creatures. I can hardly wait until my next trip! 🥰🐢

01/29/2026

💕

Poem of the day📜 Seed dispersal, carried by slow steps🐢👇Read below😊

Tortoises munch on fruits and seeds🥭,
Then wander slowly at their own speed🐢

They take their time🕰, moving slow,
Seeds stay inside, intact as they go.

Then one day, Plop! onto the ground,
Seeds drop wrapped in dung💩, nutrients spread all around.

Then one day, a leaf pops out,
Restoration begins, as the seed does sprout🌱

Sprout🌱 to sapling, Sapling to tree🌳,
The forest recovers thanks to the Torti!🐢💚

📷

11/26/2025

🙏🏻😢🐢

11/15/2025

Atlas is always watching. 😂

10/24/2025

This is what your support looks like in action. 👩‍🔬💚
Researchers are carefully attaching transmitters to Southern Vietnamese Box Turtles. This was only possible by your shirt purchases through the Protect What’s Rare campaign.

This project will reveal how these critically endangered turtles use their habitat and help us protect it.

Thank you for turning awareness into real conservation.