About the Western Pond Turtle

Western Pond Turtle Basking in the Sun

Western Pond turtles, also known as the Pacific Pond turtle, are a small sized turtle found in the family Emydidae and genus Actinemys. Adult pond turtles range from 6-8 inches in length and weigh 1-2 pounds. The upper shell is brown or black with slight marbling. The lower shell, head and legs are black and yellow. These turtles have a very shy personality and will dive into the water at the slightest disturbance.

Habitat:

Location of Turtle Habitat

The Western Pond turtle is found in the Puget Sound area of Washinton, Oregon, and California. 
They live in areas with slow-moving streams, marshes, ponds, lakes and canals with muddy bottoms. The turtles also inhabit land areas as well- during the heat of summer and in the cold of winter, many can be found on land burrowed under logs and leaf litter. They can be found as far as 4,500 feet in elevation, but only 300 feet in Washington.                            









Life of a Western Pond Turtle:

Hatchling Turtle ready to face the world!

The turtles are able to reproduce around ten to fifteen years old. Reproduction starts in Spring, so the eggs are ready for nesting by May. The ideal nesting location for female turtles consists of an area with dry soil with some vegetation and sunlight to place their eggs. To aid in the digging process, it is not uncommon for the females to urinate on the soil where they plan on building the nest. Once the hole is complete the females lay three to thirteen eggs, fill the hole with vegetation and dirt (for air space), and cover the hole with wet soil so the eggs have a humid environment. The eggs are kept in the hole for about 2 and half months. Hatchlings can break through the nest in the fall or spend winter in the nest and come out for Spring. The babies are the size of a quarter and have to fend for themselves. They are born with a natural instinct to find food and to hide from predators (birds, fish, American bullfrog). A lot of turtles don't make it in their first year of life, but the ones that do can live until they are 50 years old!

Diet:

Western Pond turtles eat mostly insects. Sometimes they eat frog eggs and small fish. It is believed that Western Pond Turtles are not able to consume their food above water, and must be submerged to swallow.


(Woodland Park Zoo)