Attachment 8 WPTBrochure20240305_Final.pdf
PDF 1 MB Posted
- Attached to
- GAOA Scenic Byway Recreation Site Hazard Tree Removal, Sierra National Forest, California
- Solicitation number
- 127EAS25R0002
- Issued by
-
Department of Agriculture Forest Service
About this file
This document is an informational brochure about Western Pond Turtles (WPT) in the Sierra Nevada Foothills and Mountains, produced by the U.S. Forest Service. The brochure provides detailed ecological information about the native California freshwater turtle species, highlighting its habitat preferences, life cycle, and significant conservation challenges. Key facts include that Western pond turtles can live up to 50 years, spend up to 200 days annually out of water, and are facing critical population declines due to habitat degradation, wetland loss, and competition from non-native species.
The brochure offers specific guidance for encountering these turtles, particularly when they are crossing roads, recommending that they be left undisturbed if possible. If a turtle's life is at risk, the document provides step-by-step instructions for safely moving the turtle, including lifting it with two hands, moving it in the direction it was traveling, and reporting the sighting to a local ranger district. Contact information for the High Sierra and Bass Lake Ranger Districts is included, along with images depicting adult and hatchling Western pond turtles in various habitats.
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Contact
High Sierra Ranger District 29688 Auberry Rd Prather, CA. 93651
(559) 855-5355
Bass Lake Ranger District 57003 Road 225 North Fork, CA 93643 (559)877-2218
ADATUM
FITNESS
HEALTH IS A JOURNEY, NOT A
DESTINATION
WESTERN
POND
TURTLE
in the
Sierra Nevada Foothills
Mountains
Western Pond Turtle Facts Western pond turtles are omnivores that eat aquatic plants, algae, worms, insects, and insect larvae, small fish, frogs, tadpoles, and carrion.
Turtles can travel up to 5 miles away from streams during the winter.
Turtles overwinter in upland terrestrial habitats under duff and litter from approximately November through March.
Female turtles leave the stream for upland habitat to dig a pear-shaped nest chamber and lay eggs around March/April. They lay 1-13 eggs that will hatch and emerge between 80 to 110 days later. Some hatchlings will leave the nest, while others will overwinter in the chamber before migrating to water in the spring.
Turtles found crossing a road are best left undisturbed as females may abort their nesting attempt and return to the water.
Fun Fact: Western pond turtles can live to be 50 years old!
The western pond turtle, the only freshwater turtle native to California, was once a common site in the ponds, streams, and wetlands of the Sierra Mountains and surrounding foothills. However, modern threats that include habitat degradation, loss of wetland habitat, and introduction of non-native species that pray on or out-compete the WPT (such as bullfrogs, large-mouth bass, and red-eared sliders) are causing an alarming decline in WPT populations.
Western Pond Turtles The Western pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata) is a rare freshwater species found in ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, creeks, and marshes below 5,000 feet. They prefer pool habitats with vegetation, logs, rocks, and exposed banks to bask on in streams.
Western pond turtles (WPT) have been found to spend up to 200 days of the year out of the water in upland habitats. WPT leave the safety of their aquatic habitat to find a mate, nest, hibernate, and escape natural ecosystem changes such as flooding or drought when ponds and creeks dry up. The biggest threats facing this species are habitat loss and road mortality.
Turtles are best left undisturbed, however if their life is at risk:
If WPT are observed on the road:
• If safe, stop and allow the turtle to cross independently.
If the turtle will not move:
• With two hands, pick the turtle up on both sides of the shell, lift 12 inches straight up from the ground.
• Manually move across the road in the direction the turtle was moving.
• Place it on the ground and retreat immediately.
• TAKE A PHOTO OF THE
TURTLE.
• Report the sighting to a District Office asap.
Western Pond Turtles are often hard to see in their upland terrestrial habitat and over-wintering habitat
Western pond turtle adult
Photo Left:
Hatchling Western pond turtle (also called a “cookie”)
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