A small, wild turtle with a brown or olive shell. It likes to hang out in ponds and rivers, bask in the sun, and eat whatever fits in its mouth—bugs, plants, tadpoles, even little fish.
In California, Oregon, and Washington, in slow-moving rivers, lakes, and ponds with lots of sunlight and hiding spots.
This turtle is like a chill sunbather. It climbs onto logs to warm up, then dives in to explore. It’s been around for a long time, but now it’s getting pushed out of its home.
Wetlands are being filled
or paved over.
Bullfrogs and crayfish
eat the babies before they grow up.
Pollution and drought
make the water too dirty or too dry.
Turtles help keep water clean by eating dead plants and animals. They’re part of a healthy pond system. If the pond turtle disappears, everything else in the water starts to fall apart. Plus, who doesn’t love turtles?
