USGS, Chris Brown

The Western pond turtle is the only native turtle to the Santa Monica Mountains.

The western pond turtle (Clemmys marmorata) is the only native freshwater turtle in the Santa Monica Mountains. Their cryptic nature makes them hard to spot, but they can often be seen sunny themselves on a rock or log. At the approach of a predator, they will dive into the safety of the water. Urban development and the introduction of non-native species have taken a toll on the population as a whole. The pond turtle is currently a Federal Special Concern species (FSC) and protected as a California Special Concern species (DFG-CSC). In the Santa Monica Mountains, but they are considered relatively uncommon.

USGS, Chris Brown

The red-eared slider is not native to the Santa Monica Mountains.

The other known turtle, the red-eared slider, is not native to the mountains and was most likely released in the mountains by unaware pet owners.

Click here to download a checklist of the reptiles and amphibians of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.