Western pond turtle
Actinemys marmorata
In the Zoo
Children’s Zoo and Pool across from Penguin Island
Fascinating Facts
Western pond turtles are California’s only native freshwater turtle species. San Francisco Zoo & Gardens participates in the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ S.A.F.E. (Saving Animals From Extinction) program to reintroduce western pond turtles back into the wild, by working with local conservation groups. SF Zoo has released western pond turtles in Mountain Lake in San Francisco’s Presidio, as well as locations in Marin. In addition, SF Zoo has rehabilitated injured western pond turtles. More about SF Zoo’s efforts can be found here: https://www.sfzoo.org/local-
Physical Characteristics
The average western pond turtle is between 4.5 – 8.5 inches in length. They have a dark brown or olive shell with a marbling pattern on the body. The shell is very slightly domed, wide and smooth.
Diet
They are omnivores, eating algae and aquatic plants, aquatic invertebrates, fish, crayfish and occasionally carrion.
Habitat
Western pond turtles live in freshwater streams, lakes, ponds, rivers and wetlands with access to land where the turtles can bask or nest, or take cover from predators.
Range
They are found from Washington State to Baja California.
https://www.sciencebase.gov/
https://www.fws.gov/species/
https://californiaherps.com/
Social Behavior
Western pond turtles reach maturity between 8 – 14 years. Breeding season takes place between May and August, with most females only breeding every other year. The female will dig a nest not far from a water source and deposit her eggs. Incubation takes around three months, but most of the hatchlings will overwinter underground and emerge in the spring. There is no evidence of parental care. While hatchlings make easy prey, once a western pond turtle has reached adulthood it can live between 40 – 70 years.
Status in the Wild
IUCN – Vulnerable
Other:
Western pond turtles are threatened by habitat destruction and fragmentation, as well as competition with invasive species. They are preyed upon by small mammals, birds, snakes, bullfrogs, and large fish.