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Western painted turtle in my pond

22 16:30:07

Question
I live in California in the temperate bay area. I have a 7 ft pond with a vinyl liner that has been established for 5 years. I want to get a western painted turtle or a red ear slider to keep in the pond. My two previous small {3 inch} red ears disappeared with no trace. I keep an electric fence around the pond to keep out raccoon and a net over to keep out the birds. I keep gold fish and koi in the pond. It has good filtration and aeration. Which type of turtle would you suggest? I would like to get at least a 5 inch spec. Thx Claudia

Answer
I'm not sure which, as neither are exactly native to that area ( I'm assuming you mean San Francisco area ), however it appears that the RES has established itself there as an introduced species and may be adaptable. The Western Painted, living as far north as Wa. state, would probably be just as adaptable. The Northern Pacific Pond Turtle ( Actinemys marmorata marmorata ) is native however.

I would caution against any electrified fencing as dangerous to the turtles, unless you plan have a wall or something to keep the turtles separate and away from this electric fence. I would also suggest waiting until spring for a new turtle, as winter is almost here, and any newcomer would have little time to prepare and acclimate itself in time for winter.

http://anapsid.org/mainchelonians.html
http://austinsturtlepage.com