# Northwestern Pond Turtle (*Actinemys marmorata*) The Northwestern Pond Turtle is a small turtle that loves to live in ponds and marshes. It has a beautiful shell with patterns that help it blend in with its surroundings. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Northwestern Pond Turtle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/2009-Western-pond-turtle.jpg&width=800) Photo: Yathin S Krishnappa, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2009-Western-pond-turtle.jpg) ## Appearance The Northwestern Pond Turtle has a smooth, low-domed shell that is olive to dark brown or black, often with fine dark lines or speckles. Its skin is yellowish or light brown, typically mottled with dark spots, helping it blend into its environment. The plastron (underside) is usually yellowish. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Testudines - **Order:** Testudines - **Family:** Emydidae - **Genus:** Actinemys ## Interesting facts - Female turtles can store sperm for months before laying eggs! - Some turtles have lived longer than your grandparents—over 70 years! - Their eggs are laid in nests dug on land, far from the water! - They can hold their breath underwater for over 30 minutes! ## Special abilities - **Mud Burrower:** Northwestern Pond Turtle can burrow into soft mud that helps them survive cold winters or dry summers by staying hidden and safe. - **Long Life:** Northwestern Pond Turtle has a very long lifespan that helps them grow and reproduce for many decades in their habitat. - **Underwater Eyesight:** Northwestern Pond Turtle has excellent vision underwater that helps them spot tiny prey and avoid predators efficiently. - **Stealthy Camouflage:** Northwestern Pond Turtle has a dull, mottled shell that helps them blend perfectly with pond bottoms, making them hard to spot. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 12-20 cm - **Weight:** 0.2-1.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 30-55 years - **Speed:** 3 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 3 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-13 - **Incubation:** 70-120 days ## Diet & Feeding An omnivore, it eats both plants and animals it finds in and around its watery home. - **Age differences:** Young turtles eat more meat, while adults add more plants to their diet. - **Primary Foods:** Aquatic insects, Tadpoles, Small fish, Snails, Algae, Water plants - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Raccoons raid their nests. - **Eats:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Lithobates catesbeianus*) — Turtles eat bullfrog tadpoles. - **Shelter:** Broadleaf Cattail (*Typha latifolia*) — Cattails provide cover and nesting. - **Hunts:** Threespine Stickleback (*Gasterosteus aculeatus*) — Turtles prey on small fish. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch from a distance and never try to touch or pick up wild turtles. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Northwestern Pond Turtle? Compare shell shape, shell markings, head stripes and the shape of the feet. Wear, age and algae can hide shell patterns. Turtle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Northwestern Pond Turtle? 12-20 cm ### How much does Northwestern Pond Turtle weigh? 0.2-1.5 kg ### How long does Northwestern Pond Turtle live? 30-55 years ### How fast can Northwestern Pond Turtle move? 3 km/h ### What does Northwestern Pond Turtle eat? An omnivore, it eats both plants and animals it finds in and around its watery home. ### How fast can Northwestern Pond Turtle swim? 3 km/h ### Where is Northwestern Pond Turtle usually found? Wetlands ## Where to spot - [Coloma](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/coloma) — California, US · Neighborhood - [E. E. Wilson Wildlife Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/e-e-wilson-wildlife-area) — Oregon, US · Nature Reserve - [Iron Horse Regional Trail](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/iron-horse-regional-trail) — California, US · Trail - [Old Auburn Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/old-auburn-historic-district) — California, US · Historic District - [Putah Creek State Wildlife Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/putah-creek-state-wildlife-area) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [San Juan Bautista State Historic Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/san-juan-bautista-state-historic-park) — California, US · State Park [View all places to see Northwestern Pond Turtle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/northwestern-pond-turtle) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Northwestern Pond Turtle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northwestern-pond-turtle)