Pond Turtles

The first pond turtle is the Western Pond Turtle. Western pond turtle or known as Actinemys marmorata is a small turtle usually growing just up to 20 cm in carapace length. They can typically found in Mexico and USA. The dorsal color of this pond turtle is usually dark brown or dull olive. Their plastron is yellowish with dark blotches. This pond turtles can live in different water places such as streams, rivers, ponds, marshes and lakes. They prefer habitats with lots of log wherein they can bask under the sun. They are known for being aggressive especially when they are basking under the heat of the sun.

The next pond turtle is the Red Eared Slider. Red Eared Slider or also known as Trachemys scripta elegans is a semi aquatic turtle. They are established in United Kingdom as the Red Eared Terrapin. They become very popular pets in Canada, Netherlands and Japan. This pond turtle lives in the water but leave their habitats when it is time to lay some eggs. They are energetic and can swim faster than any pond turtles. They normally dive into the water when human or predators are around. The typical Red Eared Slider female can grow up to 10-12 in. while the male can grow up to 8-10 in. Their carapace is flat and oval in shape.

Then there is the Leatherback Turtle. Leatherback turtle also known as Dermochelys coriacea is the largest living turtles in the world. Their back is covered with skin and oily flesh instead of carapace. This pond turtle can dive as deep as 1,280 meters. This pond turtle can be easily found at any open sea.

They like to live in deep water but without any coral reefs guarding it. Their diet consists of jellyfish and also tunicates and cephalopods. Mother pond turtles lay eggs on the beaches thus leaving the baby turtles in an open view for any lurking predators. These baby turtles are usually eaten by birds, crustaceans and other reptiles a swell as by humans even before the egg were hatched.