Western Pond Turtle

COMMON NAME: Western Pond Turtle

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Clemmys marmorata

DESCRIPTION:

The western pond turtle is widely known for its basking in the sun when the water gets to cold and water basking in warm shallow areas when the ground gets too hot. These aquatic reptiles can survive seven days away from water. Reaching 12-21 cm in length, they are usually brown or beige in color with fine light and dark markings. Female turtles will also develop a light, unmottled underside to their throat.

LIFE HISTORY:

Though their life span is not clearly known, they are presumed to be long lived and have been known to live well over 40 years. Mating begins in late April and early May. Females will migrate to upland to lay their eggs during May and June. She will lay anywhere from 1-13 thin, porcelain eggs in a shallow nest. The eggs will hatch in the fall and the hatchlings will live off plankton. They will reach reproductive maturity at 7-11 years of age.

ECOLOGY:

Western pond turtles may be found in any body of water across California from 0-1430 m in elevation, though they prefer areas with more basking sites and shallow water.

As dietary generalists, they will eat almost anything, but mainly live off slow-moving aquatic invertebrates, carrion and aquatic vegetation. Bullfrogs, raccoons, red foxes and black bears prey upon hatchling pond turtles.

www.dfg.ca.gov, the California Department of Fish and Game
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