World Turtle Day Feature: Western Pond Turtle
Western Pond Turtle at the Newport Bay Conservancy May 23, 2025/ by Azi S. / Wildlife Jewel
🐢 World Turtle Day Feature: Western Pond Turtle 🌿
🐢🌍 On this World Turtle Day, say hello to a precious Western Pond Turtle!
A quiet hero of our freshwater ecosystems, the Western Pond Turtle is native to the U.S. West Coast. These remarkable turtles can live up to 50 years in the wild! 🐢🎉
They also show memory, problem-solving skills, and even emotional responses — such as stress when separated from familiar environments.
But sadly, today they are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Why? 💔
🚫 Major threats include:
🏗️ Habitat loss from development
🧪 Pollution in rivers and wetlands
🚗 Road deaths during nesting season
🧤 Illegal pet trade & wildlife trafficking
🍲 Historic harvesting for consumption
🐸 Predation by non-local species (bullfrogs, red-eared sliders)
🌡 Climate change disrupting their habitats
🛡️ Let’s take action:
✅ Protect wetland habitats
✅ Share their story and spread awareness
💚 Every small effort makes a big impact in saving our precious wildlife.
Western Pond Turtle at the Newport Bay Conservancy May 23, 2025/ by Azi S. / Wildlife Jewel
