As prehistoric reptiles, turtles may be slow to win a race but their committed stamina to outlast others’ extinctions proves their resiliency. Western pond turtles are unique in that they mainly live in fresh water and prefer slow-moving streams, rivers and ponds, but nest on land and prefer to stay there during the winter.

When hatched, western pond turtles are only about the size of your thumb, making them vulnerable to predators such as opossums and bullfrogs that can easily pick them up for a snack. But if they survive those first few years of life to grow large enough, they can live up to 70 years and act as filters for our rivers and streams as they manage aquatic vegetation and scavenge on animal and plant waste.

Currently listed as endangered in Washington state and in review for being listed under the federal Endangered Species Act, the seven known populations of western pond turtles remaining are fighting against habitat loss, unavoidable highways and road intersections, and an invasive predator that reproduces 10,000 eggs at a time—bullfrogs. With many odds against them, partners are collaborating across states to help them win. For more on Gorge wildlife visit: