Livestock Ponds as Long-Term Habitat for Southwestern Pond Turtles (Actinemys pallida) in Rangeland Landscapes
Publication Date
12-9-2022
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Chelonian Conservation and Biology
Volume
21
Issue
2
DOI
10.2744/CCB-1526.1
First Page
277
Last Page
282
Abstract
The southwestern pond turtle (Actinemys pallida), a chelonian species declining in California, depends on aquatic habitats for its survival. This study examined the extent to which the southwestern pond turtle used livestock ponds in rangeland habitat in eastern Santa Clara County, California, and the importance of key habitat features as factors in the presence of turtles in livestock ponds. We found that 12 of the 16 ponds (75%) previously documented to have southwestern pond turtles within the last 15 yrs still supported individuals, while only 1 of 62 ponds (2%) not previously documented as occupied, had turtles, indicating that livestock ponds, especially those known to be occupied, provide important, long-term habitat for this species.
Funding Number
SC-10909
Funding Sponsor
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Department
Environmental Studies
Recommended Citation
Billy Tu and Lynne Trulio. "Livestock Ponds as Long-Term Habitat for Southwestern Pond Turtles (Actinemys pallida) in Rangeland Landscapes" Chelonian Conservation and Biology (2022): 277-282. https://doi.org/10.2744/CCB-1526.1