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Western Pond Turtle 
COMMON NAME(S): Western Pond Turtle SCIENTIFIC NAME: Clemmys marmorata CLASSIFICATION: Phylum: Chordata DESCRIPTION: Length: Ranges to about 7 inches. General: Smooth, broad, low upper shell (carapace) is olive to dark brown; often marked with a network of dark flecks and lines radiating from center of scutes (scales). Under shell (plastron) pale yellow, hingeless; may have dark brown or black blotches along scute margin. Male plastron is somewhat concave as compared to the female. RANGE: Washington south through Oregon to Baja California HABITAT: Ponds and small lakes with abundant vegetation. Also seen in marshes, slow-moving streams, reservoirs and brackish waters. STATUS: General: Endangered DIET: Consists primarily of invertebrates, carrion and plant material. REPRODUCTION: The breeding season extends from April to August. Using her hind legs, the female digs a hole in the soil and will deposit a clutch of about 11 eggs where incubation lasts about 12 weeks. LIFE SPAN: Ranges to about 70 years. BEHAVIOR: Western pond turtles engage in basking behavior, a means by which to regulate body temperature. Baking regulates body temperature by the amount of exposure, or orientation to sunlight. When preferred basking sites are limited, competition for these sites may occur. SOURCES: Status of the Western Pond Turtle in Washington – Washington Dept. of Wildlife |
