Actinemys pallida (Southwestern Pond Turtle)

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Southwestern Pond Turtle

Actinemys pallida, commonly known as the Southwestern Pond Turtle or pale western pond turtle, is a distinct subspecies of the western pond turtle. It is primarily identified by its lighter shell coloration compared to its relatives.

Native To These Regions

California (USA), Nevada (USA)

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Scientific Classification

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Reptilia
  • Order: Testudines
  • Family: Emydidae
  • Genus: Actinemys
  • Species: A. marmorata
  • Subspecies: A. m. pallida

Common Names

  • Pale Western Pond Turtle

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Identification

  • Description: The pale western pond turtle has a smooth, pale carapace that typically ranges from sandy to light brown, with a less domed shape than other turtle species. They generally grow to about 6-8 inches in length.
  • Sexual Dimorphism: Males usually have concave plastrons and longer, thicker tails than females, which have flat plastrons and shorter tails.

Check more turtles from the Actinemys genus

Actinemys marmorata (Western Pond Turtle)

Native Origin and Distribution

  • Geographical Range: Native to the coastal regions of California, primarily found in isolated wetlands and slow-moving streams.

Preferred Habitat

The pale western pond turtle favors freshwater habitats such as ponds, lakes, marshes, and slow-moving rivers with abundant aquatic vegetation.

Behavior

  • Feeding Habits: Omnivorous; diet consists of aquatic insects, crustaceans, and plant material.
  • Predators: Major predators include raccoons, birds of prey, and occasionally larger fish.

Reproduction

  • Breeding Season: Breeding occurs from late spring to early summer.
  • Reproductive Method: Females lay clutches of 3-10 eggs in sandy or soft-soiled banks near water bodies.

Conservation

  • Extinction Status: Listed as Vulnerable due to declining populations.
  • Threats: Habitat destruction, water pollution, and competition with invasive species are the primary threats to their survival.
  • Conservation Measures: Conservation efforts include habitat restoration, protection laws, and breeding programs in captivity to bolster wild populations.

Economic Importance

The economic importance of Actinemys pallida is minimal; however, they play a crucial role in the ecosystem as part of the food web and as a bioindicator of wetland health.

Interesting Facts

  • Pale western pond turtles can live up to 40 years in the wild.
  • They are capable of aestivating in the mud during hot, dry periods to conserve moisture.

Research Studies

For more detailed scientific insights, you can refer to this research study on Actinemys pallida: Conservation Genetics of the Pale Western Pond Turtle

About Author

Muntaseer Rahman started keeping pet turtles back in 2013. He also owns the largest Turtle & Tortoise Facebook community in Bangladesh. These days he is mostly active on Facebook.