Biogeography of Western Pond Turtles in the western Great Basin: Dispersal Across a Northwest Passage? The Pacific pond turtle is one of the few turtles native to western coastal North America. Order: Testudines Family: Emydidae Actinemys marmorata (Northwestern pond turtle) and Actinemys pallida (Southwestern pond turtle) Natural History Information Range and Habitat Historically found from southern British Columbia to northern Baja California, Western pond turtles once dominated freshwater systems throughout the west coast of North America (Germano and Bury 2001). History of the Western Pond Turtle: The Western Pond Turtle is native to the Pacific Coast of the United States. All turtles quickly entered the water without issue and quickly swam off. They are also vulnerable to climate change, as the gender of offspring is determined by the incubation temperatures of the eggs (a trait found in many other turtles and some other reptiles). Due to conservation concern, the western pond turtle was also named a SAFE species by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Western Pond Turtles were historically distributed through central and southern Puget Sound from Snohomish to Thurston counties, along the Columbia As they trapped, they also took body mass and length measurements of western pond turtles and looked at any habitat changes across the arboretum. R. Bruce Bury 1410 NW 12th Street, Corvallis, Oregon 97330, e-mail: clemmys@gmail.com Abstract.—The occurrence of the Western Pond Turtle (Actinemys marmorata) in Nevada and other areas of the western Other threats to the Western Pond Turtle include disease and non-native species such as large mouthed bass, bullfrog, and the red-eared slider. The release site has basking areas and quality upland habitat for the western pond turtles. Biogeography of Western Pond Turtles in the western Great Basin: Dispersal Across a Northwest Passage? The IUCN classifies the western pond turtle as Vulnerable. They are also vulnerable to climate change, as the gender of offspring is determined by the incubation temperatures of the eggs (a trait found in many other turtles and some other reptiles). Prior to release, the turtles were marked and many had PIT tags installed to track their movement. While the invasive species removal benefited the western pond turtles, Lambert said this management tool comes at a high cost and requires a lot of work and time. Western Pond Turtle (Actinemys marmorata) Turtles are fascinating animals that carry their homes around on their backs. As they trapped, they also took body mass and length measurements of western pond turtles and looked at any habitat changes across the arboretum. }, author = {Holland, Dan C.}, abstractNote = {The western pond turtle is known from many areas of Oregon. Range / Habitat: The range of the western pond turtle extends from the Puget Sound lowlands in Washington through western Oregon and California, south to Baja California. Other threats to the Western Pond Turtle include disease and non-native species such as large mouthed bass, bullfrog, and the red-eared slider. The majority of sightings and other records occur in the major drainages of the Klamath, Rogue, Umpqua, Willamette and Columbia River systems. Western pond turtles They survived the dinosaurs, but turtles worldwide are facing a modern extinction crisis, with half of all species at risk of disappearing. There is a broad zone of intergradation (populations that show characteristics of both species) where they overlap in Central California, including Yosemite National Park. They use sparsely-vegetated ground nearby for digging nests and moist, shrubby or forested areas for aestivation and over-wintering. They require sunny logs/vegetation for basking and safe movement corridors between aquatic and terrestrial habitat. Latin Name Actinemys marmorata History at CuriOdyssey CuriOdyssey houses seven western pond turtles. This aquatic turtle lives in streams, ponds, lakes, and permanent and ephemeral wetlands. Diet: Western Pond turtles are omnivorous. Western Pond Turtles: Habitat and History in Oregon . Southern western pond turtles are those found south of San Francisco on the central coast, including populations as far south as the Mojave River and Mexico. Western Pond Turtle: Natural History Literature Educational Material Merchandise Natural History In 1841, Russian naturalist Il’ia Gavrilovich Wosnessenskyi came to Northern California to explore “Russian America,” centered on Fort Ross, near the mouth of the Russian River.