Discovering the Mystical Ways of 10 Turtles in California

There are 10 types of turtles in California and they are not a rare occurrence. Aside from the eight species native to the state, there is also a handful of alien turtle species that were introduced to the area by humans. Most turtles that live in California are sea turtles – five different species.

Sea turtles live in Southern California year-round. Green turtles are the most numerous sea turtles in Southern California, but other species are found here as well, including the Loggerhead, Olive Ridley, and Leatherback turtle.

#	Name	Details	Image
1	Western Pond Turtle (Actinemys Marmorata)	Type: Semi-aquatic turtle Lifespan: 80 years in captivity Size: 5 – 8 inches Weight: 10 – 20 pounds
2	Mojave Desert Tortoise (Gopherus Agassizii)	Type: Sand Turtle Lifespan: can live between 30-50 years in the wild, and sometimes up to 80 years Size: Up to 14 inches Weight: Between 8 and 15 pounds
3	Texas Spiny Softshell (Apalone Spinifera Emoryi)	Type: Freshwater Turtle Lifespan: 20+ years Size: Males: 5 – 9 inches, Females: Up to 20 inches Weight: Males: 0.3 – 1.5 pounds, Females: 26+ pounds
4	Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)	Type: Freshwater turtle Lifespan: 50 years Size: 19 inches Weight: 40 pounds
5	Western Painted Turtle	Type: Aquatic turtle Lifespan: usually 20 – 30 years, but in better habitat can live up to 50 years Size: 4 – 6 inches Weight: Gets about 1 pound
6	Red Eared Slider (Trachemys Scripta Elegans)	Type: Aquatic turtle Lifespan: 20 – 30 years Size: 7 – 12 inches, Females get larger than 12 inches Weight: 3 – 6 pounds
7	Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta Caretta)	Type: Sea turtle Lifespan: 40-50 years Size: 3-3.5 ft Weight: 220-355 pounds
8	Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia Mydas)	Type: Marine turtle Lifespan: 80 years Size: 5 feet Weight: 400 pounds
9	Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys Imbricata)	Type: Marine turtle Lifespan: 30-50 years Size: 24-35 inches Weight: 88-110 pounds
10	Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys Olivacea)	Type: Sea turtle Lifespan: Can live up to 50 years Size: 24 – 30 inches Weight: 80 – 110 pounds
11	Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys Coriacea)	Type: Marine turtle Lifespan: 45 years Size: 6.7 feet Weight: 2,000 pounds

10 Turtles You Can Find in California

In total, there are 10 species of turtles in the state of California. This guide will take you on an exploration through each turtle type and provide tips for providing them with proper care. So, let’s get started on our journey into discovering all the wonders that these reptiles have to offer!

1. Western Pond Turtle (Actinemys Marmorata)

The Western Pond Turtle (Actinemys marmorata) is a magnificent creature native to North America, found in the west of the United States, including California. These semi-aquatic turtles have a unique patterned shell up to 8 inches long and can live up to 80 years when kept as pets. With webbed feet for swimming and its streamlined shape, they are well adapted to their watery habitats such as ponds, rivers or lakes surrounded by aquatic plants.

Western Pond Turtles primarily prey on insects or small fishes while also serving as potential food themselves for predators like weasels, raccoons, otters or ospreys.

Unfortunately, their population has been reduced significantly over time resulting in them being listed as species of concern in some states and threatened in others. A sacred animal worthy of our respect – you may be lucky enough still observe these creatures around California and Oregon if you keep an eye out!

2. Mojave Desert Tortoise (Gopherus Agassizii)

This sand turtle can be found across the Mojave and Sonoran deserts, reaching sizes up to 14 inches and weighing between 8 -15 pounds. Characterised by an armour-like shell with a prominent ‘notch’ at either end, these fascinating creatures are known for their long lifespan which could potentially reach 80 years!

Though generally peaceful animals, these California residents have learned some smart tricks to protect themselves: burying eggs away from predators such as foxes or coyotes; burrowing into the ground during extreme temperatures; and carrying around salmonella – turning them into unwelcome dinner guests for less prepared hunters!

Luckily many states still allow domestication under certain international regulations or laws so that we may witness this species living on peacefully in its natural habitat without danger of extinction.

3. Texas Spiny Softshell (Apalone Spinifera Emoryi)

Have you ever seen a creature quite like the Texas Spiny Softshell? It is an impressive freshwater turtle that can be found along the banks of the Pecos River. These remarkable creatures are carnivorous and aggressive if threatened, making them fearsome though fascinating to behold.

Reaching up to 20 inches long for females and weighing up to 26 pounds, these California residents have a distinct spiny shell that helps protects them from predators such as alligators, large fish, skunks and armadillos. Yet despite their extraordinary natural defenses they remain vulnerable due to disease-carrying humans who visit their habitat.

Thankfully though with conservation efforts, we may still get more chances for generations to come to witness these creatures living in harmony with nature!

4. Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)

The Common Snapping Turtle, scientifically known as Chelydra serpentina, is an aquatic species native to freshwater habitats such as lakes, rivers and swamps. These turtles are highly adaptable and can live up to 50 years in the wild.

Adult Common Snapping Turtles typically measure 10-16 inches in shell length but can grow up to 19 inches and weigh around 40 pounds. They have a powerful bite with an estimated pressure of over 600 psi, making them one of the strongest biters among reptiles. Despite their strength they are generally not aggressive animals, though it is best to not provoke them and take caution around them.

Common Snapping Turtles often face threats from predators such as river otters, bears and coyotes when living out in the wild.

Unfortunately, their habitat is also threatened by human activities such as development and pollution which can lead to a decrease in population numbers if conservation efforts are not taken soon here in California.

Although they make fascinating pets due to their long lifespan of up to 50 years when cared for properly, some states have regulations or restrictions on owning them so check with local authorities before acquiring this species as a pet.

These turtles have webbed feet for swimming and a long tail for propulsion allowing them to move quickly through water which also makes them difficult prey for predators.

Furthermore, although they occupy multiple states across North America from Alabama to Wyoming there is no other name than the Common Snapping Turtle so it’s easy to identify.

It should be noted that this species does not carry any significant disease that can be transmitted to humans yet they may still be prone to diseases like fungal infections or shell rot when kept in unsanitary conditions so proper care must be taken here in California when considering owning one of these remarkable creatures as a pet.

5. Western Painted Turtle

The Western Painted Turtle, scientifically known as Chrysemys picta bellii, is an aquatic creature native to North America. It can be found in states such as California; making its way up right into British Columbia in Canada. Adults typically measure between 9-10 inches in length while juveniles/hatchlings are smaller at around 2-3 inches.

They live in freshwater habitats such as ponds, rivers and lakes where they swim with ease due to their long tails and streamlined shells of webbed feet. Although usually not aggressive creatures, they have predators that include raccoons and herons among others which make them a species of special concern in some regions.

In most US states it is legal to keep Western Painted Turtles as pets with proper care but one should always check local regulations for necessary requirements first.

6. Red Eared Slider (Trachemys Scripta Elegans)

The Red Eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) is a freshwater reptile with a striking appearance. Found in California’s waterways, these turtles can reach up to 10-12 inches long as adults and can live for an impressive 30 years. They have webbed feet that are adapted for swimming, making them incredibly agile aquatic creatures.

Males and females exhibit different size ranges, with males being more diminutive compared to the females and juveniles measuring only 2-3 inches when fully grown. Although they may take on aggressive postures if threatened, their bite force is not enough to cause any damage to humans or other larger animals.

It’s important that we respect the habitats of these amazing reptiles so that future generations will be able to enjoy them too – keep their environments clean by disposing of garbage properly and avoid disturbing the fragile ecosystems where they make their homes!

7. Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta Caretta)

The Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) is a remarkable species found in the coastal waters, bays, and estuaries of the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States, as well as in the Gulf of Mexico. This semi-aquatic creature that roams our state of California has a unique adaptation – its carapace (top shell) is patterned like the skin of a shark, allowing it to blend perfectly with its environment. A fully grown adult can reach up to 3-3.5 ft in length and weigh up to 400 pounds, though there is virtually no size difference between males and females.

Loggerhead Sea Turtles are highly adapted to their aquatic lifestyle, with webbed feet for navigation and long claws for catching their prey such as insects, snails or fish. They can also hold their breath for extended periods of time and have a specialized streamlined body shape which helps reduce drag while swimming.

Unfortunately, due to destruction of its wetland habitats and other human activities, population declines have been reported in some areas; therefore this species is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN and protected under the Endangered Species Act. So it is important that local authorities be consulted before owning one as they cannot be kept as pets due to their specialized habitat requirements.

Living up to 40-50 years in the wild these gentle creatures rarely show aggression towards humans but should still be respected with caution since they are vulnerable to predation from marine mammals such as sharks or birds and crabs when young.

8. Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia Mydas)

Introducing the majestic Green Sea Turtle, an incredible species that inhabits tropical and subtropical coastal oceans in many parts of the world. These residents of California can reaching up to five feet in length and weigh around 400 pounds for females.

This marine turtle can live for about 80 years if left undisturbed by humans or predators such as birds, mammals, or large fish.

With flippers adapted for swimming and a streamlined body shape allowing it to hold its breath underwater for long periods at a time, they are highly adapted to navigating in their natural aquatic habitats.

Sadly enough though these creatures are endangered worldwide due to human actions which puts them at risk of extinction unless preventative steps are taken soon. Let’s strive towards preserving its population so future generations can witness California’s coastlines come alive with the beauty of these magnificent animals!

9. Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys Imbricata)

The Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys Imbricata) is an incredible species of marine turtle, native to tropical and subtropical oceans around the world. These beautiful creatures can grow up to 35 inches in carapace length and weigh up to 110 pounds. They are known for their unique beak-like snout which has given them their distinctive name ‘Hawksbill’.

Despite being highly adapted for life underwater, with powerful flippers perfect for swimming and the ability to hold its breath for long periods of time, these turtles face numerous threats from human activities such as hunting, poaching beach destruction and pollution. As a consequence they are classified as endangered by IUCN – The International Union for Conservation of Nature – making it illegal to own one as a pet in many states and countries.

Unfortunately populations have decreased drastically over recent decades due mainly to these pressures but also increasingly due climate change related events such as rising sea levels affecting nesting sites.

We must act now if we want future generations in California to be able observe this amazing species living peacefully in its natural habitat!

10. Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys Olivacea)

Have you ever heard of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys Olivacea)? This majestic sea turtle lives in oceanic and coastal waters, often nesting on tropical and subtropical beaches.

Adults average 70-100 cm in length and weigh around 45-50 kg, with adult males weighing around 45-75kg (100-165 lbs) and adult females ranging from 68-100kg (150-220lbs).

Are you wondering if it’s illegal to keep one as a pet in California? Unfortunately yes – it is illegal to keep sea turtles as pets without proper permits or licenses in the United States. Nevertheless, these adapted aquatic creatures are worth admiring for their hydrodynamic shell, powerful flippers, streamlined body shape, and they can live up to 50 to 60 years!

Although endangered by human activities such as pollution and hunting eggs/hatchlings they still remain across Pacific, Atlantic & Indian Oceans.

11. Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys Coriacea)

The Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys Coriacea) is one of the most remarkable creatures you can find in the depths of ocean. This majestic creature, also known as simply Leatherback Turtle, has adapted to life at sea by having a streamlined body and flippers that give it an immense advantage for swimming long distances.

It has been known to reach up to 6.7 feet in length and its size can weigh up to 2,000 pounds; thus making this resident of California one of the largest reptiles on Earth!

This species lives mainly in open ocean habitats with warmer regions such as those around the coasts of California, Florida or Mexico but sometimes ventures near-shore areas looking for food or breeding grounds.

Unfortunately due to human activities like hunting them for their valuable shells or accidental catches while fishing these animals have been classified as endangered (IUCN Red List). We must therefore work together now and take action if we want this species preserved so future generations can enjoy its beauty here in California.

Final Words

In the state of California—a place rich in biodiversity—turtles play a significant role; with a variety of species dwelling in its forests, beaches, and rivers.

In this article, we took a closer look at these fascinating creatures (including their natural habitats, lifespan, size and weight, predators, and domesticability). It’s worth noting that, while keeping these turtles as pets is legal; their populations in California may be declining due to habitat loss and collection for the pet trade.

It is our responsibility to ensure that these turtles remain protected and preserved for future generations to enjoy in the state of California.

Other Nearby States:

• Turtles In Oregon
• Turtles In Arizona
• Turtles In Nevada

Resources:

• Iconic California: State Symbols that Represent California
• Biology and conservation of sea turtles in Baja California …
• An early sophisticated East Polynesian voyaging canoe …
• Disease risk analysis in sea turtles: A baseline study to …