Pacific pond turtle

The Pacific pond turtle (Clemmys marmorata) is a reptile native to western coastal North America, found from southern Canada to southern California. It typically lives in ponds and other still waters. This turtle has a smooth, broad upper shell, about 6 to 10 inches long, which is brown or blackish with yellow spots and streaks. Its lower shell is yellow and black. The Pacific pond turtle is highly aquatic and cautious, feeding on both plants and animals, and it enjoys basking in the sun. It is one of the few turtles native to this region and was once commonly sold for food in California.1