Classification
and Range
Today,
there are only two wild populations left in the entire state of Washington,
in Klickitat and Skamania counties. In 1990, it was estimated the population
numbered only 150-200 turtles.
Habitat
The western pond turtle
is found from sea level to 4,500 feet (1375 m) in elevation. In Washington,
they are only found up to 300 feet (100 m). They inhabit slow-moving
streams, marshes, ponds, lakes and canals with muddy bottoms. During
the heat of summer and in the cold of winter, many can be found on
land burrowed under logs and leaf litter. Habitat alteration and
destruction have contributed to the demise of the turtle in western
Washington. |
Description
Adult pond turtles range from 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) in length and
weigh 1-2.4 pounds (448-1100 g). Coloration ranges from brown to black
on the carapace (the upper shell), with lighter marbling visible on
close examination. The plastron (the lower shell) is black and yellow.
The head and legs are also dark with possible yellow markings (not
stripes). These turtles are very shy and will dive into the water at
the least disturbance. |
Life
Span
Western pond turtles possibly live to be 50 years
old |
Diet
In the wild: Western pond turtles are opportunistic
feeders. Food items include various insects, frogs and frog eggs, fish
and carrion.
At the zoo: The
turtles are fed mealworms, earthworms, waxworms, crickets,
mice and some fish. |
If you
like this animal and find it particularly fascinating you
can adopt it!
Reproduction
Female pond turtles in Washington usually reach
sexual maturity around 10-15 years of age and males at 8-12 years. Mating
in the wild takes place in the spring and possibly also in the fall.
Nesting occurs from late May until the middle of July. Females find a
suitable site, usually with dry soil, sparse vegetation and a southern
exposure. A hole is dug by softening the soil with urine and then scooping
out the soil alternately with hind feet. They will deposit a clutch of
three to 13 eggs. After laying the eggs, the hole is filled with a mixture
of vegetation and dirt to provide an air space, and covered with wet
soil as a plug to keep the eggs in a humid environment. This process
can take from two to four hours. Incubation takes 90-130 days, depending
on summer temperatures.
Life Cycle
Hatchling pond turtles average 1-1.2 inch (2.5-3.1
cm) in length and weigh .011-.025 ounces (3-7 g). They may emerge from
the nest in the fall or spend winter in the nest and come out in the
spring. Hatchlings are independent and rely on their natural instinct
for finding food. While spending much time hiding from many predators,
most baby pond turtles are not able to survive the first year. Birds,
fish and the introduced American bullfrog are among many predators
of the small turtles.
|
Fascinating
Facts
- From observing pond turtles foraging, biologists
have found that western pond turtles swallow all their food
in water and appear unable to swallow food in air!
- Western pond turtles are wary and shy. If
disturbed, they will usually swim under rocks, logs or vegetation
to hide!
- In 1990, many pond turtles in Klickitat
County died from a disease similar to upper respiratory disease.
Diseases such as this can be introduced into western pond
turtle populations when nonnative turtles are released into
the wild!
|
In 1990,
Woodland Park Zoo, the Center for Wildlife Conservation and the Washington
Department of Fish & Wildlife
collaborated on a joint project to secure the future of the western
pond turtle in Washington. To enhance the survival of hatchling pond
turtles, females are followed to their nests and the nests are then
protected with “ex-closures.” These screen cages protect
the eggs from predators and keep the hatchlings from wandering away
when they emerge. The babies are then collected in the fall, and
brought to Woodland Park Zoo for a “head-start.” Young
turtles are kept warm all winter and well-fed to help them grow to
a size that enables them to better survive in the wild. They are
then released the following summer to the wild. As of 2006,
almost 1,000 head-started turtles have been released. Observations
and recaptures indicate that the young turtles are surviving and
doing well.
In addition, Woodland Park Zoo has secured four western
pond turtles from the Puget Sound area for a captive-breeding program.
These animals have produced 30 babies, most of which have been released
to a protected pond in Pierce County, Washington.
How You Can Help!
The effort to save endangered species like the western pond turtle
requires cooperation and support at the international, national,
regional and individual levels. You can help in this cause. Join
and become active in Woodland Park Zoo and other conservation organizations
of your choice. Don’t buy products made from wild animal
parts. Don’t buy wild-caught turtles and other animals for
pets. Contact your elected representatives and express your views
about conservation of endangered species and wild habitats.
Contact
Woodland Park Zoo at webkeeper@zoo.org to find out other
ways you can support conservation programs at the zoo. Discover
more about turtles by contacting the Society for the Study of Amphibians
and Reptiles at 303 W. 39th St., PO Box 626, Hays, KS 67601. Learn
other ways you can help conserve wildlife and the habitats they
require for survival by visiting our How You Can Help page.
Reptiles as Pets
We do not recommend reptiles as pets for most people as they require very specialized diets and environments. We also receive hundreds of requests each year to take former pet iguanas, boas and other reptiles but we cannot accept these due to space, health and unknown backgrounds. If you need to find a reptile or amphibian a new home, we suggest you contact a local herpetological group in your area. In the Puget Sound region, contact the Pacific Northwest Herpetological Society as a resource. If you do choose to get a reptile as a pet, please learn as much as possible about their care and the best species before making your decision and never accept wild-caught animals as pets or release non-native reptiles or amphibians into the wild.
Sources and Suggested Reading
Ernst, Carl H., Lovich, Jeffrey E., and Barbour, Roger W. 1994.
Turtles of the United States and Canada. Smithsonian Institution
Press, Washington, D.C. 578 p.Nussbaum, Ronald A., Brodie, Edmund D.,
and Storm, Robert M. 1983. Amphibians & Reptiles of the Pacific
Northwest.
University Press of Idaho, Moscow, ID. 332 p.Stebbins, Robert C.
1985. A Field Guide to Western
Reptiles and Amphibians. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston,
MA. 336 p.
Storm, Robert M., and Leonard, William P. 1995. Reptiles
of Washington and Oregon. Seattle Audubon Society, Seattle,
WA. 176 p.
More References
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Classification
and Range
