8 Types Of Turtles in California (With Photos)
Turtles in California are diverse and fascinating. You can find eight kinds of turtles here, from freshwater to sea turtles. This article will tell you all about them: where they live, what they do, and how to protect them. You will also learn how to spot them and enjoy their beauty in the wild.
Freshwater Turtles That Found in California
Do you love turtles? If so, you’re in luck. California has four kinds of freshwater turtles that live in different habitats. They have hard shells, webbed feet, and long necks. They eat plants and animals in the water. They also like to sunbathe on land or logs. Why? Because it helps them stay warm and healthy. But what are these turtles? And how can you tell them apart? Let’s find out.
#1. Common Snapping Turtle
You may have heard of snapping turtles, but do you know how amazing they are? These are not your ordinary turtles. They are large, aggressive, and adaptable. They can live in many different habitats, eat many different animals, and even survive the cold winter. But they can also be a danger to other creatures and humans. Here are some facts about the snapping turtle that will make you respect and admire this reptile.
- Snapping turtles in california can grow very big. The common snapping turtle, which lives in eastern and central North America, can reach up to 18 inches in shell length and weigh up to 35 pounds. That’s bigger than a basketball!
- Snapping turtles have a powerful bite. They have a dark brown or black shell with sharp edges, a long tail with spikes, and a strong jaw with a hooked beak. They can snap their head forward very fast to catch their prey or defend themselves from predators. Their bite can break bones and cause serious injuries, so don’t get too close!
- Snapping turtles are adaptable and invasive. They can live in almost any freshwater habitat with a muddy bottom, such as ponds, marshes, canals, and reservoirs. They are mostly active at night and eat anything they can find, including fish, frogs, snakes, birds, rodents, and even small alligators . They can also survive the winter by hibernating in the mud. However, some people have introduced them to places where they don’t belong, such as California and other western states, as pets or food sources. This can harm the native wildlife and ecosystems.
#2. Western Pond Turtle
California is home to many amazing animals, but did you know that it has only one native freshwater turtle? It’s the western pond turtle, and it’s a rare and precious species that needs our help. This turtle has a unique appearance and a fascinating life. Here are some facts about the western pond turtle that will make you appreciate and protect this native of California.
- The western pond turtle is a medium-sized turtle that can reach up to 10 inches in shell length and weigh up to 2.5 pounds. It has a dark brown or olive green shell with yellow or orange blotches, a yellow belly with dark markings, and a short neck with yellow stripes. It looks like a little jewel in the water!
- The western pond turtle lives only on the Pacific coast of North America, from British Columbia to Baja California. It is endemic to this region, which means it is found nowhere else in the world. It can live in many different habitats, such as ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, and estuaries. It likes to have plenty of plants and rocks to hide and feed on.
- The western pond turtle is active during the day and eats a variety of foods.
#3. Spiny Softshell Turtles in California
Have you ever seen a turtle that looks like a pancake? That’s the spiny softshell turtle, and it’s a very unique and interesting animal. This turtle has a soft and flat shell that helps it swim fast and hide easily. It also has a long and pointy nose that helps it breathe and smell. It can live in many places, eat many things, and even survive the cold. But it can also cause problems for other animals and people. Here are some facts about the spiny softshell turtle that will make you curious and amazed.
- The spiny softshell turtle is a big turtle that can reach up to 21 inches in shell length and weigh up to 18 pounds.
- It has a flat and flexible shell that is covered by leathery skin, rather than hard scales.
- It has small spines along the front edge of the shell, a long and tubular snout, and large webbed feet.
- It has a variable color, ranging from tan to dark brown, with dark spots or blotches.
#4. Desert Tortoise
Do you know what animal can live in the hottest and driest places in North America? It’s the desert tortoise in California, and it’s a remarkable and endangered species that deserves our attention. This tortoise has a high and round shell that protects it from the sun and predators. It also has a short and blunt head and strong legs with claws. It can eat many kinds of plants, dig deep burrows, and store water in its body. But it also faces many threats from humans and other animals. Here are some facts about the desert tortoise that will make you respect and care for this survivor of the dry lands.
- The desert tortoise is a large and herbivorous turtle that can reach up to 15 inches in shell length and weigh up to 15 pounds. It has a high-domed and oval shell that is gray or brown, with growth rings and scutes (plates). It has a yellow or tan belly, a short and blunt head, and stout legs with claws. It looks like a little tank on the sand!
- The desert tortoise lives only in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts of California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and Mexico. It is native to these regions, which means it has adapted to live there for a long time. It can live in arid and semi-arid habitats, such as creosote bush scrub, Joshua tree woodland, and grassland. It needs to have enough shade, water, and food to survive.
Sea Turtles in California
Did you know that some turtles can live in the ocean and swim across the world? They are called sea turtles, and they are wonderful and endangered animals that need our protection. Sea turtles have special features that help them survive in the water. They also have different kinds and behaviors that make them unique.
#5. Green Sea Turtle
You may have seen a green sea turtle in a zoo or aquarium, but did you know that they are one of the largest and most graceful turtles in the world? They can grow up to 5 feet long and weigh up to 700 pounds. That’s as big as a sofa!
But don’t let their size fool you. They are very gentle and peaceful animals. They have a smooth and oval shell that is olive green, brown, or black, with dark spots or stripes. Their belly is yellow or green, and their head is small and blunt. They have paddle-like flippers that help them swim fast and gracefully in the water.
They are called green sea turtles because of the color of their fat, which is green. Why is their fat green? Because they eat mostly seagrass and algae, which are green plants that grow in the ocean. They are one of the few turtles that are herbivorous, meaning they only eat plants. But sometimes they also snack on jellyfish, sponges, and other animals.
Where Do They Live and How Do They Survive?
Green sea turtles live in warm and shallow waters near coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves. These are places where they can find food and shelter. They can be found in many parts of the world, but they have a few special places where they go to mate and lay eggs. These are called nesting sites, and they are usually on sandy beaches in the Pacific coast of Mexico and Central America.
Green sea turtles in California are amazing swimmers and divers. They can hold their breath for up to an hour and dive up to 500 feet. That’s as deep as a skyscraper! They can also travel long distances to find their nesting sites. They use their sense of smell and magnetic fields to navigate the ocean. They return to the same beach where they were born every 2 to 4 years.
Why Are They Endangered and How Can We Help?
Unfortunately, green sea turtles are in danger of extinction. They are endangered, which means there are not many of them left in the wild. They face many threats from humans and nature, such as:
- Habitat loss: Their homes are being destroyed by coastal development, pollution, and climate change.
- Poaching: Their eggs, meat, and shells are taken by people for food, medicine, and decoration.
- Fishing: They get caught in fishing nets and hooks, or injured by boat propellers.
- Predators: Their eggs and hatchlings are eaten by crabs, birds, dogs, and other animals.
But there is hope. There are many ways we can help protect and conserve green sea turtles, such as:
- Supporting conservation efforts: We can donate money or time to organizations that work to protect green sea turtles and their habitats.
- Reducing plastic waste: We can use reusable bags, bottles, and straws, and avoid buying products that contain microplastics.
- Respecting their space: We can observe them from a distance, and not touch, feed, or harass them.
- Spreading awareness: We can learn more about green sea turtles and share their story with others.
Green sea turtles in California are beautiful and fascinating creatures that deserve our respect and care. They are an important part of the ocean ecosystem and our planet. By helping them, we are also helping ourselves and future generations. Let’s work together to save the green sea turtles!
#6. Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Have you ever wondered how a turtle can crack open a crab or a clam? Well, meet the loggerhead sea turtle, a large and powerful turtle that can do just that. They have a reddish-brown and heart-shaped shell, a yellow or brown belly, and a large and thick head. They have strong jaws that can bite through hard-shelled prey, such as crabs, clams, and sea urchins. That’s why they are called loggerheads because they have big heads that can log (or chop) their food.
But they are not just strong, they are also fast and smart. They can grow up to 3.5 feet long and weigh up to 300 pounds. They have flippers that help them swim up to 15 miles per hour in the water. They can be found in many parts of the world, but they have a few special places where they go to mate and lay eggs. These are called nesting sites, and they are usually on sandy beaches in the Pacific coast of Mexico and Japan.
Where Do They Live and How Do They Survive?
Loggerhead sea turtles live in warm and cool waters near sandy beaches, coral reefs, and rocky shores. These are places where they can find food and shelter. They are nocturnal, which means they are active at night. They are carnivorous, which means they eat meat. They feed on crabs, clams, sea urchins, jellyfish, fish, and squid.
Loggerhead sea turtles in California are amazing swimmers and divers. They can hold their breath for up to 4 hours and dive up to 1000 feet. That’s as deep as the Eiffel Tower! They can also travel long distances to find their nesting sites. They use their sense of sight and magnetic fields to navigate the ocean. They return to the same beach where they were born every 2 to 3 years.
#7. Leatherback Sea Turtle
Imagine a turtle that is as big as a car, has a soft and rubbery shell, and can swim across the whole ocean. Sounds incredible, right? Well, that’s the leatherback sea turtle, the largest and most unique turtle in the world. They can grow up to 8 feet long and weigh up to 2000 pounds. That’s as big as a small elephant!
But they are not just big, they are also special. They have a smooth and leathery shell that is black or dark gray, with white or pink spots or stripes. They have no hard scales or claws, but they have seven ridges on their shell and four on their belly. They have a small and pointed head, a long and tapered tail, and paddle-like flippers.
They are the most widely distributed and migratory turtles, ranging from the Arctic to the Antarctic, and crossing the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. They can be found in open waters near continental shelves, islands, and oceanic currents. These are places where they can find food and avoid predators.
#8. Olive Ridley Sea Turtle
You may think that all turtles are big and slow, but not the olive ridley sea turtle. They are the smallest and most abundant turtle in the world. They can grow up to 2.5 feet long and weigh up to 100 pounds. That’s as big as a bicycle!
But they are not just small, they are also social. They have a greenish-olive and heart-shaped shell, a yellow or white belly, and a medium-sized and rounded head. They have paddle-like flippers that help them swim in the water. They are named after the olive color of their shell and their tendency to nest in large groups called arribadas. This is a Spanish word that means “arrival”. It is when thousands of turtles come to the same beach at the same time to mate and lay eggs. It is a spectacular sight to see!
What Do They Eat and How Do They Survive?
Olive ridley sea turtles eat almost anything they can find in the sea, but they prefer jellyfish, seaweed, crabs, shrimp, snails, fish, and eggs. They are nocturnal, which means they are active at night. They are omnivorous, which means they eat both plants and animals. They have sharp teeth and claws that help them catch and eat their food.
Olive ridley sea turtles are amazing swimmers and divers. They can hold their breath for up to an hour and dive up to 500 feet. That’s as deep as a football field! They can also travel long distances to find their nesting sites. They use their sense of smell and magnetic fields to navigate the ocean. They return to the same beach where they were born every year.
