Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

I work at an educational foresty complex that has an excellent woodland pond on the facility. It is teeming with life, and deep enough to allow for hibernation.

Several years ago I was given a breeding pair of painted turtles (one of which was extremely close to laying) that had been disturbed by the construction of a mall. I released them in this pond, and they stayed there for a season, and then moved somewhere else.

This year, I found a small painted turtle that is one of the offspring of this pair. The facility wants to encourage this turtle to stay in this pond, as it is used to educate the public. They are willing to do a lot to make this pond one that is very well suited to painted turtles.

Any suggestions as to what plants, structures, or otherwise that can be added would be wonderful. Also, is there a way to construct a nesting area that they would possibly use? Something set into the ground with proper medium in it?

Any input at all would be greatly appreciated.

Wendy
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"It's not a matter of IF...but WHEN" ~Bill Haast~

"Joy unspeakable...to be holding death in your hands..."

Could you describe the pond as it is now? Size, location, depth, cover, forage, ect?
Chris
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0.1 Red Eared Slider, 1.0 Common Snapper, 1.0 Bearded Dragon and a 55gal Native Fish Tank with a LM Bass and Pleco.
I use to have a collection of Leopard Geckos that I bred, but have sold them.

Hi Chris,

The pond holds approximately 77 000 litres of water (it's about 20x40ft minimum), has a depth of 3.5 metres, and was constructed in the late 80s/early 90s. It is located in a clearing in the woods, but recieves a fair amount of sunlight as the clearing is large, providing ample time for basking during most parts of the day. There is limited vegetation within the pond, however one end is full of a grasslike plant, and the entire pond is surrounded with ferns and sedges.

We will be planting cattails and arrow plants in the pond as well, as I've heard that these are plants that painted turtles enjoy. Any other plants they like can also be planted there. There is a floating log placed in the pond for basking, and it was used while the turtles were there.

Is it possible to making a nesting area for them? What type of substrate should be used? Any help is fantastic! Thank you!

Wendy
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"It's not a matter of IF...but WHEN" ~Bill Haast~

"Joy unspeakable...to be holding death in your hands..."

Alright its hard to picture but I will try my best. First thing I would do is to go around where you know are native painted populations. Look at the habitat they are in. After checking out a few populations see what they all had in common. Try to copy that as best you can. About the vegatation. I would try to get some kind of submerged vegatation in the pond. Be careful with this though. Always use native plants. Collect some plants from other ponds and see how they do in your pond. Then you need to see if there is ample food in you pond. You can not just dump turtles in a pond and expect them to stay. You have to have a balanced pond. You need a well established population of fish, frogs, and insects. Food will determine whether they stay put or leave. I would also try to supply more basking areas. Maybe put a few dead trees around the edges of the pond leading into the water. These will be prime basking locations. About the nesting area. I suppose you could till up some land a lay some sand or loose soil but I dont think it would be worth it. Reptiles are picky about where they lay. When they look for a nesting spot they will dig several test holes testing soil. Also they will lay where a certain amount of sunlight will hit the nest and well out of flooding water levels. I would not worry about the nesting area. If you got the food, and cover they should stick around.
Hope this helps,
Chris
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0.1 Red Eared Slider, 1.0 Common Snapper, 1.0 Bearded Dragon and a 55gal Native Fish Tank with a LM Bass and Pleco.
I use to have a collection of Leopard Geckos that I bred, but have sold them.