Western Pond Turtle

Threatened and Endangered Species

The California Department of Fish and Game identifies the Western Pond Turtle as a threatened and endangered species (T&E).

The western pond turtle (Clemmys marmorata) is our native Californian turtle. It inhabits marshes, streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes, favoring habitats with large amounts of emergent logs or boulders, where they aggregate to bask in the sun. As all reptiles, this animal is "ectothermic", meaning that it changes its temperature by using external sources, like the sun. Western pond turtles are omnivorous. Most of its animal diet is made up of insects, crayfish, and other aquatic invertebrates. Fishes, tadpoles, and frogs are eaten occasionally, and carrion is eaten when available. Plant foods include lily pods and tule and cattail roots.