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1. guidosmom
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   Yesterday I was out walking around the high point pond and noticed a turtle swimming in the pond. This morning I saw a large gold fish in the pond. Obviously the gold fish was released there by someone, but what about the turtle? Do we have wild turtles in this area? I am sure "wild" is not the correct term.

   Posted 2 years ago #         

2. clark5080
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   Seen lots of turtles around the Arborietum and over at Juanita and also at the montlake landfill

   Posted 2 years ago #         

3. Garden_nymph
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   I've seen many who sun themselves on floating logs near the shore at Greenlake.

   Posted 2 years ago #         

4. westseattledood
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   We definitely have a native turtle - the Western Pond Turtle.

   But it doesn't require much imagination to know that they are in dwindling numbers.

   In all likelihood, unless that pond has been determined to be a site for reintroduction of the troubled turtle, you saw any number of other variations of turtle, or even tortoise.

   Red sliders are often the little guys folks see. They are released pets, of course.

   Most of these released turtles or tortoises do not survive. Folks don't know that their non-native requirements are entirely different in terms of humidity, temperature, food sources and environments. People who release their pet turtles thinking they are setting them free and more often just condemning the creatures.

   Here's a link about our native Western Pond Turtle. One of the great places to see these true native turtles are on the approach of the floating bridge westbound right at the arboretum. On the north side of the freeway, where the logs are exposed, you will often see them thermoregulating on the top of the logs, even in the winter.

   I love turtles. They are so primitive....they haven't changed/evolved much in form or funciton for millions of years; so they kind of are like prehistoric ambassadors of wildlife to me.

   I learned a lot about them when I worked at PAWS Wildlife Center and then a veterinarian gave me one to foster. Fascinating creatures and probably one of the most complex pets to care for. Which is why you see them get dumped out in ponds like that. Most will surely die or be preyed upon.

   http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/diversty/soc/recovery/pondturt/wptxsum.htm

   Posted 2 years ago #         

5. clark5080
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   Here are some I have seen
   

   

   

   Posted 2 years ago #         

6. guidosmom
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   Thanks Westseattledood. How sad. :( I think it was a red slider after looking up images. I will have to go check out some Western Pond turtles next time I am by the arboretum.

   Posted 2 years ago #         

7. CarolPB
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   Beautiful photos, Clark

   Posted 2 years ago #         

8. guidosmom
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   Very beautiful photos! I love the red colors in the bottom picture. Very nice camera. :)

   Posted 2 years ago #         

9. nuni
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   and..bow chika bow wow!

   Posted 2 years ago #         

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