All Turtles Message Board

Bubonic · Level 2 Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 81

You'll have to bear with me, this picture might make it so no one can identify it, not to mention s/he looks scared.
But maybe an aficionado will know.

I'm adopting the critter from the SPCA, it was abandoned, pretty excited about it, went out and ordered a 40 gallon tank, going to have a good fluval filter, heat lamp, uvb lamp, platform... Lady keeps insisting on pebble substrate to keep the smell at bay... Seen on some sites that this is not recommended, but in all her years she's never had a problem!

Anyways, I'm committed to this turtle, they say it's a red eared slider, but the SPCA lady isn't an expert... Picture doesn't look like any red ears I've seen.

Whats your call?

STRAYKINGFISHER · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 10:06 am Post subject:

The turtle is an older one so it won't be a shiny green that alot of people are used to seeing, it looks to be a red eared slider but without seeing the side of the head it won't be a sure bet, but I'm almost certain of it, it looks just like my turtles do, webbed feet and top shell.
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Bubonic · Level 2 Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 81

It is old, the owner who dropped it off at the shelter noted it as being 8-9 years.

It was quite big as well, I'd say 9 inches long, 5 inches wide, and something like 4 inches high!

The markings looked like a red-eared sliders, but much more faded. Like a washed out orange, and the shell was like a big dome, not as flat as I've seen with other sliders, and the sliders I had were older then this one is said to be.

I'm not an expert at sexing turtles, but due to the size, and the average nail length I'd assume it was a female. I'll have digital camera pictures of it early next week.

weeturtle · Guest Joined: 08 Mar 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Canada

I would say absolutely a red eared slider. Faded markings come with age, and doming of the shell can come from over feeding which causes a condition called pyramiding. It also could be a red eared slider, yellow bellied cooter mix as their as cooters tend to have more domed carapaces but maintain the ear markings of a RES.
I would still stand by her being a RES though =D
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Bubonic · Level 2 Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 81

Ok... I got it, and it looked like a slider, but it also has thin yellow lines on its had, and it's belly is basically completely black!!!!

What the heck is this awesome turtle...
PICS Monday or Tuesday!