Western Pond Turtle

Photo by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife on Flickr

Actinemys marmorata
 
I have never seen a Western Pond Turtle in the wild, but for good reason. They are being out-competed by the invasive Red-Eared Slider, and their numbers are drastically dropping.

It’s not the Red-Eared Slider’s fault. It is 100% human irresponsibility. Sliders are WAY too easy to get as pets. In Downtown Los Angeles, you can buy a baby the size of a half dollar in a little carrying case for a few bucks. But then what? People aren’t prepared to take care of these turtles as they grow. And they will grow. This myth about staying the size of the container you keep them in is exactly that. A myth. There are so many Sliders needing homes, humane societies and rescue centers won’t take them anymore. Out of options, people dump them in the local waterways where Western Pond Turtles are supposed to live. I even found one dumped on the path when I was a docent at Malibu Creek State Park. I’d love to see some restrictions on selling sliders as pets!

Western Pond Turtles aren’t nearly as aggressive as sliders, which is why they are being bullied out of their habitats. They take a long time to mature to breeding age, so they aren’t able to replenish the population very quickly.  They eat vegetation and small aquatic animals.
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I’ve seen a few when I worked in wildlife rehabilitation. I love their checkered coloration! Every time I walk near a California waterway and I see a little turtle face poke out, I keep hoping it will be a Western Pond Turtle. Sadly, it never is. 

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