#actinemys

A Western pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata) basks on a log in San Luis Obispo County, California, USA

Pacific or Western Pond Turtle (Actinemys marmorata), family Emydidae, northern California

Vulnerable, due to habitat destruction/degradation and introduction of invasive species (like the Red-eared Slider).

This species was extirpated from Canada. It once ranged into British Colombia.

This is the only species of NATIVE freshwater turtle found in California. (Other species have been introduced.)

Southwestern Pond Turtle (Actinemys pallida), family Emydidae, Los Padres National Forest, Southern CA, USA

Threatened (proposed listing)

Southwestern Pond Turtle (Actinemys pallida), family Emydidae, Baja California, Mexico

Pacific or Western Pond Turtle (Actinemys marmorata), family Emydidae, California

Vulnerable, due to habitat destruction/degradation and introduction of invasive species (like the Red-eared Slider).

This species was extirpated from Canada. It once ranged into British Colombia.

This is the only species of NATIVE freshwater turtle still found in California. (Other species have been introduced.)

Southwestern Pond Turtle (Actinemys pallida), family Emydidae, southern CA, USA

Western  Pond Turtle Moves Toward Endangered Species Act Protection         

Turtle Battling Steep  Declines in California, Oregon, Washington            

SACRAMENTO, Calif.— In response to a 2012 petition by the Center for Biological  Diversity and several renowned scientists and herpetologists, the U.S. Fish and  Wildlife Service announced today that Endangered Species Act protection may be  warranted for the western pond turtle. The agency will now conduct a one-year  status review on the turtle, which faces declines of up to 99 percent in some areas,  including Oregon’s Willamette Valley.

Western pond turtles (Actinemys marmorata) are declining in abundance rangewide, especially in the northernmost portion and the  southern third of the range. The animals are listed as state endangered in Washington, sensitive/critical in Oregon, and a species of special concern in California. Although habitat destruction is one of the biggest threats to the turtle, none of these state laws provides effective habitat protection...

(read more: Center for Biological Diversity)