Scott Hanko
Western Pond Turtle
The western pond turtle(Actinemys marmorata or Emys marmorata), or Pacific pond turtle is a small to medium-sized turtle growing to approximately 20 cm (8 in) in carapace length. It is limited to the west coast of the United States of America and Mexico, ranging from western Washington state to northern Baja California. In May 2002, the Canadian Species at Risk Act listed the Pacific pond turtle as being extirpated in Canada.
Western pond turtles originally ranged from northern Baja California, Mexico, north to the Puget Sound region of Washington. As of 2007, they have become rare or absent in the Puget Sound area. They have a disjunct distribution in most of the Northwest, and some isolated populations exist in southern Washington. Pond Turtles are now rare in the Willamette Valley north of Eugene, Oregon, but abundance increases south of that city where temperatures are higher. They may be locally common in some streams, rivers and ponds in southern Oregon. A few records are reported east of the Cascade Mountains, but these may have been based on introduced individuals. They range up to 305 m (1,000 ft) in Washington, and to about 915 m (3.000 ft) in Oregon.
The western pond turtle occurs in both permanent and intermittent waters, including marshes, streams, rivers, ponds and lakes. They favor habitats with large amounts of emergent logs or boulders, where they aggregate to bask. Individuals display aggressive behavior toward one another while sunning. They also bask on top of aquatic vegetation or position themselves just below the surface where water temperatures are elevated. Western Pond Turtles will rapidly dive off basking sites when approached by a human, even at distances of over 50 m. Consequently, this species is often overlooked in the wild. However, it is possible to observe resident turtles by moving slowly and hiding behind shrubs and trees.
Western pond turtles seek refuge in deep water, under submerged logs and rock, in beaver burrows and lodges, and by "swimming" into deep silt. They are extremely difficult to detect under these conditions. Turtles can be encouraged to use artificial basking substrate, or rafts, which allows for easy detection of the species in complex habitats.
Western pond turtles are omnivorous and most of their animal diet includes insects, crayfish and other aquatic invertebrates. Fishes, tadpoles, and frogs are eaten occasionally, and carrion is eaten when available. Plant foods include filamentous algae, lily pods, tule and cattail roots.
San Diego Zoo-San Diego Ca.
Western Pond Turtle
The western pond turtle(Actinemys marmorata or Emys marmorata), or Pacific pond turtle is a small to medium-sized turtle growing to approximately 20 cm (8 in) in carapace length. It is limited to the west coast of the United States of America and Mexico, ranging from western Washington state to northern Baja California. In May 2002, the Canadian Species at Risk Act listed the Pacific pond turtle as being extirpated in Canada.
Western pond turtles originally ranged from northern Baja California, Mexico, north to the Puget Sound region of Washington. As of 2007, they have become rare or absent in the Puget Sound area. They have a disjunct distribution in most of the Northwest, and some isolated populations exist in southern Washington. Pond Turtles are now rare in the Willamette Valley north of Eugene, Oregon, but abundance increases south of that city where temperatures are higher. They may be locally common in some streams, rivers and ponds in southern Oregon. A few records are reported east of the Cascade Mountains, but these may have been based on introduced individuals. They range up to 305 m (1,000 ft) in Washington, and to about 915 m (3.000 ft) in Oregon.
The western pond turtle occurs in both permanent and intermittent waters, including marshes, streams, rivers, ponds and lakes. They favor habitats with large amounts of emergent logs or boulders, where they aggregate to bask. Individuals display aggressive behavior toward one another while sunning. They also bask on top of aquatic vegetation or position themselves just below the surface where water temperatures are elevated. Western Pond Turtles will rapidly dive off basking sites when approached by a human, even at distances of over 50 m. Consequently, this species is often overlooked in the wild. However, it is possible to observe resident turtles by moving slowly and hiding behind shrubs and trees.
Western pond turtles seek refuge in deep water, under submerged logs and rock, in beaver burrows and lodges, and by "swimming" into deep silt. They are extremely difficult to detect under these conditions. Turtles can be encouraged to use artificial basking substrate, or rafts, which allows for easy detection of the species in complex habitats.
Western pond turtles are omnivorous and most of their animal diet includes insects, crayfish and other aquatic invertebrates. Fishes, tadpoles, and frogs are eaten occasionally, and carrion is eaten when available. Plant foods include filamentous algae, lily pods, tule and cattail roots.
San Diego Zoo-San Diego Ca.