Ecology and Behavior
Western pond turtles occur in both permanent and intermittent waters, including marshes, streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. They favor habitats with large numbers of emergent logs or boulders, where they aggregate to bask. They also bask on top of aquatic vegetation or position themselves just below the surface where water temperatures are elevated. Individuals display aggressive behavior toward one another while sunning. Western pond turtles will rapidly dive off basking sites when approached by humans, even at distances of over 50 m. Consequently, this species is often overlooked in the wild. However, it is possible to observe resident turtles by moving slowly and hiding behind shrubs and trees.
Western pond turtles seek refuge in deep water, under submerged logs and rocks, in beaver burrows and lodges, and by "swimming" into deep silt. They are extremely difficult to detect under these conditions. Turtles can be encouraged to use artificial basking substrate, or rafts, which allows for easy detection of the species in complex habitats.
Read more about this topic: Western Pond Turtle
Famous quotes containing the words ecology and/or behavior:
“... the fundamental principles of ecology govern our lives wherever we live, and ... we must wake up to this fact or be lost.”
—Karin Sheldon (b. c. 1945)
“The ease with which problems are understood and solved on paper, in books and magazine articles, is never matched by the reality of the mother’s experience. . . . Her child’s behavior often does not follow the storybook version. Her own feelings don’t match the way she has been told she ought to feel. . . . There is something wrong with either her child or her, she thinks. Either way, she accepts the blame and guilt.”
—Elaine Heffner (20th century)