West Coast turtles?

Danothemano · 12-25-04, 10:17 AM

hello
I have been flipping through a book about turtles of the world and there does not seem to be many species native to the west coast of Canada. I am just curious as to what types of turtles are native to B.C?.
Dano

snakers55 · 12-25-04, 10:43 AM

There really aren't many from the west coast... That I know of, western painted turtles (Chrysemys picta belli) and western pond turtles (Actinemys marmorata)...The western ponds occur only is a very small part of souther BC.. Correct me if I'm wrong anyone..

Tim and Julie B · 12-25-04, 11:42 AM

No that's right.......other then a few slider I am sure people have let go.

SDG · 12-27-04, 10:08 AM

Western pond turtles have not been observed in B.C. for quite some time (no confirmed accounts). There is some dispute about whether they were ever native to the province as the majority of sightings were recorded during a time when this species was available in the food markets. These may have been imported and either escaped or were released. There is potential that they were native, but this will require further investigation.