Turtle pond construction ended in 1939, around the same time as construction of the UT Tower. It is home to a few dozen turtles of multiple species, including snapping turtles. (Some students have even reported seeing pigeons who got too close to the surface and were pulled under!) In addition to its aesthetic value, the turtle pond is used by biology classes and is linked to the College of Natural Sciences.
Northwest of the Tower is the botany greenhouse, one of several UT Austin greenhouses.
Follow the sidewalk down University Ave, away from Inner Campus Drive. At the corner of 24th Street and University Avenue is Biological Laboratories (the building closest to the turtle pond).