The Western Pond Turtle: How Big Do They Grow?

The Western pond turtle, also known as the Pacific pond turtle, is a small to medium-sized turtle species native to the western coast of the United States and Mexico. They are typically found in freshwater habitats such as streams, ponds, lakes, and wetlands. So, how big can these turtles get?

Western pond turtles are 7-9 inches long

The Western pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata) is a small- to medium-sized turtle species. These turtles typically reach a length of 7 to 9 inches, with adult males having flatter shells than females, thicker tails, and yellow or whitish chins and throats. The female turtles, on the other hand, have higher, dome-shaped shells, smaller heads, flatter bellies, and darker chin and throat markings.

The straight carapace length of the Western pond turtle ranges from 4.5 to 8.5 inches (11-21 cm). The carapace is the upper shell of the turtle, which can be dark brown or dull olive in colour, sometimes with darker reticulations or streaking. The plastron, or lower shell, is yellowish, sometimes with dark blotches.

Adult pond turtles typically range from 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm) in length and weigh between 1 and 2.4 pounds (448-1100 g). These measurements make the Western pond turtle a relatively small turtle compared to other species.

The Western pond turtle is an endangered species native to the western coast of the United States and Mexico, ranging from Washington state to northern Baja California. Their populations have declined due to various factors, including disease, habitat alterations, and the introduction of predators. As a result, they are now listed as endangered in Washington and are considered a "sensitive-critical species" in Oregon.

They weigh 1-2.4 pounds

The western pond turtle is a small- to medium-sized turtle. An adult pond turtle weighs between 1 and 2.4 pounds, with females weighing more than males. This weight is measured when the turtle is out of the water, as they spend upwards of 200 days out of the water each year.

The weight of a western pond turtle is closely linked to its diet. These turtles are omnivorous, and their diet includes insects, tadpoles, frog eggs, snails, leeches, aquatic beetles, dragonfly larvae, fish, and plant foods such as filamentous algae, lily pads, tule, and cattail roots. Juvenile turtles tend to be carnivorous, and they begin to eat plant matter at around three years old.

The weight of a western pond turtle also has implications for its safety. These turtles are very shy and will dive into the water at the first sign of danger. They can quickly retract their heads and legs into their hard shells for protection. However, their small size makes them vulnerable to predators, especially when they are young. Their main predators include raccoons, otters, ospreys, and coyotes, as well as non-native species such as bullfrogs, crayfish, and opossums.

The life cycle of the western pond turtle also affects their weight. Mating typically occurs in the spring or fall, and females produce between 3 and 13 eggs per clutch. The eggs hatch after 90 to 130 days, and the hatchlings are very small, weighing just 3 to 7 grams. They may emerge from the nest in the fall or stay in the nest until the spring.

Overall, the weight of a western pond turtle is influenced by its diet, life cycle, and behaviour, and it plays a role in its safety and survival.

They live in Washington, Oregon and California

The western pond turtle is native to the west coast of the United States, and can be found in Washington, Oregon and California. In Washington, the species is listed as endangered, and is considered rare in the Willamette Valley north of Eugene. However, their numbers increase in abundance south of the city, where temperatures are higher. They can be found in the Uvas Canyon area, Santa Cruz Mountains, North Bay, and lakes such as Fountaingrove Lake.

In Oregon, the western pond turtle is considered a "sensitive-critical species", and is one of only two native turtle species in the state. They are more commonly found in the south of the state, in areas such as streams, rivers and ponds. They can also be found in the east of the state, past the Cascade Mountains, although these may be introduced populations.

The western pond turtle is also found in California, where it can be divided into two genetically distinct portions of its range: the northern species, Actinemys marmorata, found north of San Francisco, and the southern species, Actinemys pallida, found south of San Francisco. The northern species is also referred to as the northwestern pond turtle, while the southern species is known as the southwestern pond turtle.

They are endangered

The western pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata), also known as the Pacific pond turtle, is a species of small to medium-sized turtle. They are native to the western coast of the United States and Mexico, ranging from Washington state to northern Baja California.

The western pond turtle was historically found in British Columbia, Canada, but in 2002, the Canadian Species at Risk Act listed the Pacific pond turtle as extirpated. In 2007, it became rare or absent in the Puget Sound region of Washington, and it is now only found in some isolated populations in southern Washington. The western pond turtle is also rare in the Willamette Valley north of Eugene, Oregon, although abundance increases as temperatures rise further south.

The western pond turtle is listed as endangered by the state of Washington, as "sensitive/critical" in Oregon, and as a "species of special concern" in California. In 2014, scientific evidence revealed that the pond turtle was, in fact, two distinct species—northern and southern—each of which is more endangered than previously thought.

The primary causes of the decline in western pond turtle numbers are habitat loss and alteration. Wetlands have been filled for residential and industrial development, water diversion projects, and dam construction, which have reduced available habitats and isolated populations. The introduction of exotic predators, such as bullfrogs and large fish, has also taken a toll on hatchling and young turtles. Human disturbance can also keep females from crossing over land to lay eggs, reducing the number of eggs laid.

Disease is another major threat to the western pond turtle. Shell disease, for example, was found to infect 29-49% of examined turtles in six populations in 2013-2014. Upper respiratory disease is another condition that threatens to decrease populations.

The western pond turtle is also vulnerable to competition from invasive species, such as the red-eared slider, which compete for resources and prey on the turtles. In addition, the removal of ponds, modification of sandy banks needed for egg-laying, and the draining of wetlands have further endangered the species.

Efforts to reintroduce the western pond turtle to its native range have met with limited success. As of 2015, the total population of both species of pond turtles was estimated to be between 10,000 and 1 million individuals.

They eat insects, fish, and plants

The Western pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata) is an omnivore, with a diet consisting of insects, fish, and plants. They are native to the West Coast of the United States and are currently listed as an endangered species.

Western pond turtles are primarily carnivorous, eating a variety of insects, including spiders, beetles, millipedes, grasshoppers, flies, aquatic insects, larvae, and snails. They are also known to eat other invertebrates like crayfish, and even small amphibians like frogs, tadpoles, and frog eggs.

The Western pond turtle is not averse to consuming meat in the form of carrion, especially dead fish. They will also eat small fish and crustaceans like crawfish and freshwater crabs.

While they are mostly carnivorous, Western pond turtles do include plant matter in their diet. They eat aquatic plants, such as filamentous algae, lily pads or lily pods, tule, and cattail roots.

The diet of the Western pond turtle changes as they mature. Juveniles are primarily carnivorous, eating insects and carrion. It is only around the age of three that they begin to incorporate plant matter into their diet.

The Western pond turtle is a semi-aquatic species, spending most of its life in water. However, it is important to note that they can only swallow food underwater and require terrestrial habitats for nesting.

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