pond turtle
Shelled aquatic reptile
Pond turtles are freshwater turtles that live in or near ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams.
The term encompasses various species across different genera, though in North America it often refers specifically to the western pond turtle or Pacific pond turtle.
These reptiles typically have flattened shells suited for aquatic life, webbed feet for swimming, and spend much of their time basking on logs or rocks near the water's edge.
Freshwater basking turtle
Protective dorsal exoskeleton
- plastronVentral shell portion
- scutesHorny epidermal plates
- shellHard outer covering
- webbed feetSkin-connected toes for swimming
claws · beak · scales · keratin · dome-shaped · hinged · growth rings · tail
Non-saline aquatic environment
- wetlandsWater-saturated terrain
- marshGrassy waterlogged lowland
- lakeEnclosed body of freshwater
- streamSteady continuous flow
riverbank · muddy bottom · lily pads · aquatic plants · duckweed · algae · sediment · silt
Exposing oneself to warmth
thermoregulation · resting · stillness · exposed · surface · afternoon · summer · platform
At risk of extinction
- threatenedExpressed intent to harm
- habitat lossElimination of living spaces
- poachingUnlawful wildlife capture
- protectedKept from harm
vulnerable · extinction · wildlife trade · recovery plan · captive breeding · population decline · monitoring · sanctuary
Locomotion through water
- divingEntering water deliberately
- foragingSeeking wild food sources
- nestingMaking a dwelling
- burrowingDigging to create shelter
hibernating · hunting · crawling · digging · egg-laying · migrating · territorial · mating
cooter
Freshwater basking turtle
carapace
Protective dorsal exoskeleton
webbed feet · claws · beak · scales · keratin · dome-shaped · hinged · growth rings · tail · nostrils
freshwater
Non-saline aquatic environment
stream · riverbank · muddy bottom · lily pads · aquatic plants · duckweed · algae · sediment · silt · shallows
sunning
Exposing oneself to warmth
rock · thermoregulation · resting · stillness · exposed · surface · afternoon · summer · platform · stretched
endangered
At risk of extinction
- threatenedExpressed intent to harm
- habitat lossElimination of living spaces
- poachingUnlawful wildlife capture
protected · vulnerable · extinction · wildlife trade · recovery plan · captive breeding · population decline · monitoring · sanctuary · biodiversity
swimming
Locomotion through water
burrowing · hibernating · hunting · crawling · digging · egg-laying · migrating · territorial · mating · courtship
- semiaquatic animalsbeaver, otter, platypus, hippo, hippopotamus
- Turtlesterrapin, tortoise, cooter, slider, loggerhead
- emys
- European wildlifegrey wolf, red squirrel, brown hare, wild cat, mouflon
- Japanese wildlifetanuki, Japanese crane, koi, snow monkey, raccoon dog
- ornamental petskoi, goldfish, angelfish, discus, canary
pond turtlesea turtle
Ocean-dwelling shelled reptile
marine turtle · desert tortoise · tortoise · leatherback turtle · green sea turtle
pond, turtle, turtles, turtleneck, turtling, pondweed, turtlehead, turtleback, turtlelike