If you go | Seeing turtles in the city

Seeing turtles in the city

Where

Though you won't likely find a Western pond turtle in the city any time soon, during the summer months you can readily see other turtles, both native and non-native, basking on logs along the shoreline at Bellevue's Mercer Slough Nature Park; Kirkland's Juanita Bay Park; and in Seattle at Seward Park, Green Lake and along the Foster Island Trail that begins in the Museum of History and Industry parking lot. Or go by water: Rent a canoe at the Waterfront Activities Center at the University of Washington (206-543-9433) and paddle along Marsh and Foster Islands at the edge of the Arboretum.

Turtles you'll find

Turtles you are likely to see at these locations are the native painted turtle (look for a black top shell and red or yellow stripes on the neck and legs) and the non-native red-eared slider, with a distinguishing red or yellow blotch behind the eyes.

Viewing tip

Don't approach turtles too closely; they need to bask to survive.

At the zoo

At Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo, visit the Swamp and Marsh Exhibit to see a video about the Western Pond Turtle Recovery Project. A Southwestern pond turtle (subspecies of Washington's native turtle) is on display in the Day and Night House.

More information

Web site: www.zoo.org/conservation/pond_turtle.html

Book: "Reptiles of Washington and Oregon," by Robert Storm and William Leonard (Trailside Guide Series, 1995)