The only freshwater turtle native to most of California, Oregon, and Washington. Populations have declined dramatically due to invasive bullfrogs and red-eared sliders that compete with and prey on them.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The western pond turtle, also known commonly as the Pacific pond turtle is a species of small to medium-sized turtle in the family Emydidae. The species is endemic to the western coast of the United States and Mexico, ranging from western Washington state to northern Baja California. It was formerly found in Canada, but in May 2002, the Canadian Species at Risk Act listed the Pacific pond turtle as being extirpated.
Source: Wikipedia — Western pond turtle Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Medium olive-brown turtle; dark spots on shell; yellow throat; relatively flat shell shape.
Similar species. Other pond turtles. Slider species (introduced; often confused).
Voice. Hisses.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Aquatic plants, insects, occasional carrion.
Behavior. State turtle of Washington. Federally proposed for listing. Restricted to Pacific Northwest streams and ponds; populations have declined due to habitat loss, road mortality, and introduced predators.
§ Range
Pacific coast from Washington to Baja California
§ Habitat
Streams, ponds, marshes, slow rivers with basking logs
§ Threats
Invasive bullfrogs and red-eared sliders, water diversions, habitat loss to development.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the western pond turtle is currently classified as Vulnerable.
§ What helps
Don't release pet turtles or bullfrogs into the wild. Support stream restoration. Volunteer with Western Pond Turtle Recovery teams.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Western pond turtle
- www.fws.gov — authoritative profile of Actinemys marmorata
- IUCN Red List · taxon 4970
- iNaturalist · taxon 39791
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Actinemys marmorata
§ Sources cited
- USFWS Pacific Region
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
- IUCN Red List 2011
