Western Pond Turtle
Actinemys marmorata
- Habitat: Lives in freshwater lake and pond habitats
- Range: Western U.S.A
- Natural Diet: Aquatic invertebrates and plants
- Status in the Wild: THREATENED
Fun Facts
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Western pond turtles are native to California
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These freshwater turtles have dark brown to olive colored bodies and shells with a carapace of 5 to 8 inches in length.
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They are amphibious and live in and around freshwater bodies.
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They are usually seen basking together in the sun and brumate during the winter months.
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Although they are comfortable in deep water, they build terrestrial nests.
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Females lay half to a dozen eggs once or twice a year.
Western pond turtles brumate during the winter months and emerge to bask in the sun in spring
Conservation Threats
Major threats to wild populations of this species are:
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Habitat loss due to urbanization - agricultural practices
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The hatchlings of these turtles are predated upon by invasive species such are American bullfrogs and red-eared slider turtles.
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Red eared slider turtles also compete with adult western pond turtles for their home ranges