Types of Pond Turtles
Turtles are a common sight in many ponds throughout North America. The numerous species that can live in a pond setting subsist on the plants and animals available to them in this habitat. Pond turtles vary in size and habits, but all of these reptiles possess an upper shell called a carapace and a lower shell known as a plastron.
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Spotted turtle
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The spotted turtle is a smallish turtle, with most specimens between 3 1/2 and 5 1/2 inches long. These turtles are black with yellow spots dotting their shell, tail, legs and head. These turtles range from the southern portion of Ontario to northern Florida and as far west as Ohio. Ponds, bogs, marshes and vernal pools are the environments this turtle prefers. The diet of this turtle consists of plants, spiders, worms, insects, tadpoles and small fish.
Painted turtle
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Painted turtles are the most common type of pond turtle species in North America, with various subspecies throughout the continent. These turtles take their name from the red and yellowish stripes that exist on their head, tail and neck. The painted turtle will live in a pond as well as a slow moving stretch of river, swamp, creek or marsh. They often sit on logs in the sun, slipping away at the first hint of trouble.
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Snapping turtle
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The snapping turtle, with some species like the alligator snapper as enormous as 300 pounds, is often the dominant creature in a pond. These turtles have huge heads compared to the rest of their body and strong jaws that resemble a beak. Snapping turtles eat fish, crayfish, carrion and plants. Snappers lay their eggs in fields, soil, piles of leaves or twigs. The young take as long as two months to hatch.
Sliders
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Sliders live in the southern portion of the United States as far west as New Mexico. The females exceed the males in size and some species can reach a foot in length. Ponds form an ideal habitat for sliders. While sliders are maturing they eat aquatic animals like fish and insects. But they become mainly plant eaters when they get older. Sliders are the species of turtle that pet stores most often sell as pets.
Box and wood turtles
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The box turtle has a hinged shell that allows the reptile to completely disappear within it and stay safe from danger. The wood turtle has a much flatter shell and a neck and legs that are reddish-orange in color. While both these species spend much time on land, they will feed in the water. Ponds provide them a menu of frogs, snails, fish and tadpoles.
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