[Tweeters] Chelonian question

[HAL MICHAEL]

While there is general (professional) agreement that the Western Painted Turtle is a Washington native there is still the question as to whether or not they are native to the Puget Sound lowlands. The lowlands, at least as far south as Olympia, were totally under ice until about 15,000 YBP so any arrival (of all species) has been recent.
   

Hal Michael
Board of Directors,Ecologists Without Borders (http://ecowb.org/)
Olympia WA
360-459-4005
360-791-7702 (C)
ucd880 at comcast.net


> On 10/21/2021 9:36 AM dgrainger at birdsbydave.com wrote:

> 

>  

> My understanding is that the Western Painted turtle is a native and not 

> introduced species. Western Pond turtle is the other native, although I 

> have not personally seen those.

> 

> Down at Ridgefield you can find literal stacks two and three deep, of 

> all sizes, sunning on  semi submerged logs in wet areas. I have 

> photographed Western Painteds at Nisqually as well.

> 

> On 2021-10-20 15:01, Stan Bezimienny wrote:

> > Hi Gary,

> > 

> > I have seen 3 species of turtles in Juanita Bay:

> > 

> > 1. red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)

> > 2. painted turtle (Chrysemys picta)

> > 3. spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera)

> > 

> > All 3 are introduced  pets, long living but likely non-breeding.

> > 

> > 1. Common, invasive, older specimens can be completely black. I’ve

> > seen them as late as 12/24, rather cold tolerant

> > 2. Less frequently seen, mostly spring

> > 3. At least 2 huge specimens, seen in late spring, 2 years in a row

> > 

> > Have pictures to illustrate. All 3 species are reasonably easy to tell

> > apart.

> > 2. Is native to WA, but I think the JBP are released pets.

> > 

> > Stan

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