Native Western Painted Turtle in the Wild

[DuckieGo]

Thought I would share these pictures I went hiking one day and came across an abnormally large Western Painted turtle she's a legally protected species currently undergoing restoration in our state so we kept her company to ensure she left the trail so she wouldn't get caught under any bikes. She was approximately 15 inches long and the norm is about 10 did not even think it could be possible which makes this event a very special treat. Shortly after this she returned to the river next to our trail .I assume she due to size.

 

[Maggie3fan]

Hey there! Welcome...may I ask where you are in Oregon? I'm in Corvallis

 

[DuckieGo]

I am in Dallas this was taken at Minto brown Park though in salem

 

[DuckieGo]

Hey there! Welcome...may I ask where you are in Oregon? I'm in CorvallisView attachment 343730

I would like to ask your thoughts though shortly after this I had actually felt bad that I walked away from it wondering if it was truly a western painted. I was informed it was and I did the right thing. I still look at it sometimes like was it though?

 

[Markw84]

I would like to ask your thoughts though shortly after this I had actually felt bad that I walked away from it wondering if it was truly a western painted. I was informed it was and I did the right thing. I still look at it sometimes like was it though?

Thank you for the nice pictures and story. That is not a western painted turtle, though. It is a cooter. It is dirty to obscure most of the marking on the carapace but the neck and chin marking are quite distinctive, It very much looks like a Suwannee Cooter. 90% sure it is a Suwannee. Pseudemys concinna suwanniensis. 100% sure it is a cooter Pseudemys concinna ssp

 

[DuckieGo]

Thank you for the nice pictures and story. That is not a western painted turtle, though. It is a cooter. It is dirty to obscure most of the marking on the carapace but the neck and chin marking are quite distinctive, It very much looks like a Suwannee Cooter. 90% sure it is a Suwannee. Pseudemys concinna suwanniensis. 100% sure it is a cooter Pseudemys concinna ssp

Oof thankyou for letting me know I regular the area and will keep an eye out see if it pops out for some sunshine again.

 

[TeamZissou]

This also means that someone released this cooter, since it's a long way from it's natural range in the southeast.

 

[DuckieGo]

This also means that someone released this cooter, since it's a long way from it's natural range in the southeast.

Yes in a conservation area for a protected species to make matters worse which means it faces possible impending doom if not found. Honestly I don't actually know what they do if they would just relocate it hopefully. But Def keeping my eyes out it. Salem is a very populated city making it very possible it was dumped. If I find it first i will get it some help.