UT Turtle Pond — Attraction in Austin

UT's Turtle Pond is ICONIC! :-) Situated behind the UT Tower, this pond houses several turtles, and it's a calm, peaceful area to enjoy on the 40 Acres at The University of Texas at Austin.

Per UT's Biodiversity Center's website, "First known as the botanical ponds, the turtle pond was built in 1939 shortly after the construction of the UT Tower. It has since then become an urban greenspace lush with flora and active fauna – a stopping point for the local community to relax, socialize, or simply find joy in watching the turtles. The pond is currently home to at least 100 turtles, a majority of which are red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans). Other notable species found in the pond are Texas cooters, Florida red-bellied cooters, and a few reports of Spiny softshell turtles and a Snapping turtle. According to UT’s curator of herpetology Travis LaDuc, the rapid increase in turtle numbers observed over the last 10 years can be attributed to the release of pet turtles in the pond."

Their website has helpful tips regarding visiting the pond + information re: undergraduate research and stewardship efforts in relation...

Nice visit- glad I found out about this pond- also nice that you can see the Tower in the background. (for the UT fans). Nice setting- they have a few benches- would love one to have been in the shade but then I would probably still be there if so lol. They did a nice job- the plants surrounding it were beautiful and the LOVE installation- loved it! The turtles were very active which was...

Alot of ground to cover on your campus when walking...😜❤... I brought my then 10 year old to your campus for a tour with her CAMP CAMP buddy, and she was wonderful enough to give us a tour of your campus and my daughter loved the Turtle Pond. It was very...