Northwestern Pond Turtle

Photo Credit: Keith Kohl, ODFW

Overview

  • Species Common Name Northwestern Pond Turtle
  • Species Scientific Name Actinemys marmorata
  • Federal Listing Status Species of Concern
  • State Listing Status Sensitive

Ecoregions

    Special needs

    Northwestern pond turtles are found in marshes, streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. 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.

    Limiting factors

    Life history traits make this species vulnerable to habitat loss and alteration of potential nesting sites (e.g., conversion, invasive plants). Road mortality, predation by raccoons, fish, and bullfrogs, and competition with invasive turtles are further risk factors.

    Conservation actions

    Identify population centers. Use distribution data to establish priority areas for protection and management. Provide basking structures and nesting habitat. Control invasive plants and animals. Minimize disturbance in nesting areas. Protect adjacent upland habitat. Implement the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's Turtle Best Management Practices. Prevent illegal collection. Prevent release of pet turtles. Reduce risk of mortality from roads.

    Key reference or plan

    Conservation Assessment of the Western Pond Turtle (Actinemys marmorata) in Oregon
    Visual Encounter Survey Protocol for Western Pond Turtles, April 2020
    2020 Field Packet: A companion document to the 2020 Northwestern Pond Turtle Survey Training

    Life History Traits