A western painted turtle catches some sun on a log in the Shuswap.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Sherri Mitchell
April 04, 2024 - 6:00 AM
Western painted turtles can be seen in ponds and lakes in Kamloops and the Okanagan out basking in the spring sunshine.
Known for their red-tinted shells, and red and yellow streaked lower shells, the turtles are a beloved reptile to see and photograph.
The turtles are the only species native to British Columbia and are a blue listed species, meaning they’re vulnerable to declining populations.
“Turtles are an important part of wetland ecosystems,” Virginia Hudson, NCC manager of conservation planning and stewardship in British Columbia said in a recent interview with iNFOnews.ca.
“They play the role of the wetland janitor by helping keep wetlands clean and healthy by eating dead plants, insects and animals.”
In recent years, turtles making migratory journeys have been crushed by traffic in the Okanagan and efforts have been made to remind drivers to slow down in turtle crossing areas.
“Western painted turtles do happen to be among the more charming wetland creatures,” Hudson said. “It’s always uplifting to see a bunch of them sunning themselves on logs or swimming in the shallows. They are a great sign that our conservation efforts are working.”
If you have photos of western painted turtles you want to share, send them to news@infonews.ca.
A group of western painted turtles rest on a log in the Shuswap.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Ann Steenhuysen
Two western painted turtles are seen sunbathing on a still pond in Vernon.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Leslie Banister
A western painted turtle lounges on a log in Penticton.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Jodi Forster
This western painted turtle was spotted in the Kamloops area.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Lyn MacDonald
These western painted turtles were spotted basking on a log in Grand Forks.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Kettle River Photography
A painted turtle hoists himself out of the water in Grand Forks.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Kettle River Photography
This photo taken in Penticton shows the colourful shell of a western painted turtle.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Jodi Forster
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