FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Turtle Ponds
The Caltech Turtle Ponds continue to fascinate both students and visitors alike. Here are some common questions we recieve about the Turtle Ponds and the amazing creatures that call this place home.
Have a question that's not answered here? Email caltech.turtle.club@gmail.com and we will do our best to track down the information for you!
Turtle Related Questions
The Turtle Pond is located just east of Caltech Hall on Caltech's campus. On google maps, the location is called "Throop Memorial Garden".
Most of the turtles in the ponds are red-eared sliders, an invasive species of turtle with a distincive red spot on the side of their head. If you look carefully, there are also a few yellow bellied sliders, which have a yellow spot on their heads, and 1 to 2 soft shell turtles, which have a large, flatter brown shell with black spots.
We've also recently spotted Western pond turtles! These turtles are native to California so we like seeing them around! These turtles are very dark colored with little to no yellow pigment.
If you see a turtle wandering away from the Turtle Pond, the best thing to do is leave it alone. The Turtles are free to wander and many do so, espeically in the spring. They will be able to make their way back to the Turtle Ponds.
If you see a turtle stuck in the Lily Pond or in the Memorial Ponds, most likely you can leave it alone. Facilities is well aware that turtles get stuck and regularly check and remove trapped turtles - the turtles will be ok in the meantime. Please do not touch or pick up the turtles yourself.
If you see a turtle in a dangerous location like near a busy road, you can call Maintenance at (626) 395-4738.
There are over 100 turtles in the ponds! Most of these are red eared sliders.
While we understand that unexpected life changes can occur, we cannot endorse you dropping off your pet turlte in the ponds. One reason for this is it can introduce disease into the rest of the turtle community. Please reach out to us at caltech.turtle.club@gmail.com for a list of turtle resources.
No, please do not feed the turtles. Food can contribute to water contamination and make the turtles sick. The turtles are regularly fed by Caltech Facilities with proper commerical turtle food.
Turtle Behavior Questions
Yes! In the spring and early summer, the female turtles will walk around Caltech campus looking for a place to lay eggs. Red eared sliders, the most common turtle in the ponds, will lay between 2-30 eggs depending on how old (and how big!) she is.
The turtles stay in the ponds during the winter, hiding out in the water. During this time they undergo a process called brumation (similair to how some mammals hibernate). Their metabolic rate drops significantly, and they do not need to eat during this time. They will come up from the bottom of the pond to breathe.
Turtle life span can vary depending on the species. For red eared sliders, they are expected to live 20-40 years.
Turtle Club Questions
If you are affiliated with Caltech or JPL in any way, yes! You are welcome to attend any and all of our club events. If you are not affiliated with Caltech/JPL, you can still join our mailing list to hear the latest turtle news. Please email us at caltech.turtle.club@gmail.com to join our mailing list, our main method of communication.
Why not a turtle club?? We love turtles!
If you like low-commitement, free snacks and food, casual hang outs, and free trips to turtle-y awesome destinations (such as the LA Zoo or a Turtle Conservation site), you should join our mailing list!
We do! Follow us at @caltech.turtle.club, or click here to go to our Instagram home page.
We would love to get in touch about hosting educational tours of the Caltech Turtle Pond to those interested (or other turtle related activites). Reach out to us at caltech.turtle.club@gmail.com to inquire!
We also do have a turtle outreach booth, reach out if you would like to know when we will be at the turtle pond next!