The Western Pond Turtle is the most common turtle in this region. It's scientific name is clemmys marmorata marmorata. Other turtles found in the Pacific Northwest are the Painted Turtle, (chrysemys picta),the Slider,(trachemys scripta), the Loggerhead, (caretta caretta), the Green Turtle,(chelonia mydas), the Pacific Ridley, (lepidochelys olivacea), the Leatherback, (dermochelys coriacea), and the Snapping Turtle,(chelydra serpentina). Both the Snapping Turtle and the Slider were introduced to the Pacific Northwest and are not indigenous (that means that people brought them here and let them go, they weren't always here!)
Of all these turtles the Loggerhead, the Green, the Pacific Ridley and the Leatherback are all ocean turtles. The Western Pond, the Slider and the Snapping turtles are mainly found in ponds, lakes and streams in the Pacific Northwest. |
