<<Back to Northwest Herps The Western Pond Turtle can be found in suitable aquatic habitats in the regions of Northern California, Oregon and Sierra Nevada, British Columbia. Western Pond Turtle includes two subspecies, which include the northwestern pond turtle (Clemmys marmorata marmorata) and the southwestern pond turtle (Clemmys marmorata pallida). The turtle species is now listed as federally protected and considered to be listed as an endangered species. Due to a Lack of research in some areas have prevented the turtle from being added to the endangered list.
 The turtle shell is low and wide (the widest area being located in the center of the shell) with a smooth texture. Total length of the turtle can be between 100mm to 210mm. Scales are more broader than they are long with the first touching 4 marginal and the cervical. Carapace or a hard boney shell is a dark brown or dull olive with darker marks or streaking pattern can be found. The Plastron or turtle breast plate can be a yellowish, sometimes with dark areas on the scutes. The foot is webbed to the base area of the claws. Note: The other 3 species of the Clemmys have webbing located at the base penultimate phalanges of the three middle toes (Ernst and Barbour. 1989). Males have a shorter thicker tail. Makes have a concave plastron and the females have no indentation.
Breeding habitat requirements present significant risks to the species. Pond turtles may live for 30 to 40 years, grow slowly, and may take up to 8 years to reach sexual maturity. Mating occurs in April and May, after which females build nests along wetland margins or in adjacent uplands (Rathburn et al 1991). Oviposition requires soil which is at least 10 cm deep, and usually takes place in a southern exposure at a site which will not flood. Females leave the watercourse in late afternoon and evening, and travel into adjacent wetland margins or uplands to build nests. This overland journey may involve crossing roads, and may subject the animals to other threats. Oviposition occurs in July and August, with hatchlings emerging in approximately 12 weeks.
Western pond turtle is found in quiet water and typically ranges in salinity content from fresh to brackish to seawater (Holland 1991). The habitat of the pond turtle ranges from California, where it is nearly extinct, up the West Coast through Oregon and Washington. In Oregon, the Western Pond Turtle is listed a threatened species, with only about 2,000 remaining. Pond turtles are found near a wide variety of wetlands, including ponds, marshes, lakes, streams, irrigation ditches, and vernal pools. Habitats are usually aquatic with adequate vegetative cover and exposed basking sites are utilized. They are omnivorous generalists and opportunistic predators, eating small insects, aquatic invertebrates, fish, frogs, snakes, birds, and mammals. Wary and secretive, the pond turtle prefers habitats with large areas for cover (logs, algea, vegetation) and basking (logs, boulders).
The Pacific Pond Turtle is currently a Federal Special Concern species (FSC) and protected as a California Special Concern species (DFG-CSC).
http://www.wa.gov/wdfw/wlm/regions/reg5/pond0199.htm
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/watchable/turtl.html
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| Species Details |
Size: 18 - 51 inches
Regions: From the Atlantic to Pacific coasts. However, not found in dry desert regions.
Breeding: Live-bearing; 7-85 born late June to August. Mates in late March to early May, and occasionally in the fall. The snakes mature at 2 years.
Alerts: Federal Special Concern species (FSC) and protected as a California Special Concern species (DFG-CSC)
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