Turtle spotted in Sebastopol garden. ID?

[Lisa]

Does anyone know what type of turtle this could be? It was probably 7 inches long, with green and brown markings, the edges of the shell were rounded under and marked sortof like a snake. I did not disturb it, as I adore wildlife, and am excited that it is here. I've lived in this area of California for 16 years and have never seen a turtle. I looked up pictures of the western pond turtle, but to my untrained eye, it does not look like one of those. I am in a rural area of dry grassland/sandy soil.

[decterlove]

The only turtle native to this area is the Western Pond Turtle. Individuals can vary slightly but basically this species is kinda drab looking compared to a lot of terrapins found in the Southeast for example. They are usually olive brownish with no very distinct markings unlike the Red Eared Slider which also colonizes this area and can be seen frequently at Schollenberger Park along with native Western Pond Turtles.

The only other likely possibility would be some species of Box Turtle which might have escaped as a local pet. Box turtles however have a much higher carapace (upper part of shell) and are usually a bit more colorful. They are called Box Turtles because their shell is split laterally on the bottom and the forward section is hinged and can be closed up quite tightly when threatened by a predator.

I assume there must be a body of water somewhere within a quarter mile of your garden, otherwise it's less likely to be a native turtle. Too bad you don't have pics to share!

Check Google images or try Kingsnake.com turtle forums or their extensive photo section.

On the subject of reptiles...just a reminder to all that there are no venomous snakes found in this area, EXCEPT for the Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes which have a very triangular shaped head and always have a rattle of some sort. Gopher snakes coil up readily and vibrate their tails just like a rattler and are often mistaken for rattlers but gophers are a much more slender snake and often hiss and open their mouths as a threatening gesture. Rattlers never hiss and they never open their mouths prior to striking. But all you smart WaccoBB posters knew all this already anyway right?

Some may be less familiar with the California Mountain Kingsnake which can be found in the Coastal ranges and are often mistaken for the venomous Coral Snake as they are ringed with White, Black and Red rings. Quite stunning but harmless~~~please protect them as they are also somewhat rare! Al Wolf, the chief Reptile Rescue person for the North Bay area resides just south of Sebastopol and can be reached at 829-8152 if you have any questions about reptiles in this area.

The local North Bay Herpetological Society meetings are held once a month at his home so if you are further intrigued please check them out. https://www.nbherps.org/ They are hosting an event in Cotati this this weekend. (I don't have the exact location with me at the moment but will post it as soon as I hear back from their event coordinator

****p.s......****~~~~~it will be held from 10-3 pm right in the downtown square where the Farmer's Market is held~~~~P.S.....I'll be in Petaluma at the Arts and Garden Fair on Kentucky Street across from the Surf Shop on Sunday with some awesome serpents~~~be there or be totally non-cylindrical!

[Lisa]

Thanks! That was very helpful information. On closer inspection, I think it is likely a western pond turtle. Don't know where a close body of water is though. Is this species endangered? Do I need to report it somewhere? I'll get a pix for you went it crawls out of its den it made in the compost pile.

[decterlove]

It most likely is but there are a lot of pet Box Turtles around too...many people will keep a dozen or two in a fenced in area of their backyard and sometimes, of course, they manage to burrow under a wall or something and go off in search of a better patch of berries.

Western Pond turtles are capable of roaming at least a 1/2 mile from the nearest body of water. I rescued one once on Highway 29 just south of Calistoga...the nearest stream was on the other side of the valley to the best of my knowledge. I also rescued one on the turn up to Sonoma right off 116 once as well just inches from the speeding traffic. There is a small creek right at that spot.

They are not endangered to my knowledge and are pretty common in the area. I even found a spot in a creek up in Lake County once that had several hatchlings swimming around. That was pretty cool.

[erinsheff]

Try this site:

https://www.tortoise.org/

Erin


Does anyone know what type of turtle this could be? It was probably 7 inches long, with green and brown markings, the edges of the shell were rounded under and marked sortof like a snake. I did not disturb it, as I adore wildlife, and am excited that it is here. I've lived in this area of California for 16 years and have never seen a turtle. I looked up pictures of the western pond turtle, but to my untrained eye, it does not look like one of those. I am in a rural area of dry grassland/sandy soil.