What is this

[TLWR]

I saved it from being smooshed. Will put it back on my way to work in the morning near that spot (or later tonight), but in a much safer spot that isn't the middle of the intersection of the on/off ramp for the interstate.

I'm just curious what it is.
It hisses if that helps.

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probably around 8" and black skin

 

[laney]

Glad you saved it from the road and are going to return it to the wild
I'm not sure on type but I'm sure some of the more experienced members will help soon.

 

[tortoise_man1]

It would be helpful if you posted more pictures of front, back etc. It would also be helpful to Know where you live so that we are able to cut down on the possible species.

 

[TLWR]

He's not exactly Mr Photogenic...

Found him at exit 53 on I10 in southern/coastal Alabama. mid way between Pensacola and Mobile

 

[LeopardTortLover]

Poor thing, it must be so frightened I've absolutely no clue what species it is though. But it hisses and has huge claws
So glad you saved it.

 

[Shannon and Jason]

Hmmmm not sure either

 

[TLWR]

Closed in for the night. Would hate to prevent him from being squashed only to have him eaten by something

 

[Yvonne G]

I think it's an old, melanistic red ear slider male. He's a water turtle and needs to be put into a body of water near where you found him.

 

[LeopardTortLover]

Has it been returned yet? He might need a drink or soaking if he's a water turtle?

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

I think it's an old, melanistic red ear slider male. He's a water turtle and needs to be put into a body of water near where you found him.

Believe you've nailed it, yet again!

 

[StudentoftheReptile]

You'd be surprised on how many other species of aquatic turtles turn melanistic with age. I did a dichotomous key exercise with a "batch" of turtles from our nature center, and I was surprised on how many were not RES.

 

[TLWR]

I dropped him off beside the closed down adult store that is above the pond where he likely came from. Far enough from the road so hopefully he didn't go back into it and went down the hill.
I wasn't treking down a steep embankment in heels to get him there. He had water last night in the chick brooder he was in for the night. He filled it full of sand. So hopefully he found his way back. I did contemplate sliding him down the hill, but wasn't so sure how he'd appropriate that. He did pop out his shell and look back before I left. He either said thanks or swore at me. I'm going with thanks since I didn't let him get smooshed by the big trucks.

 

[LeopardTortLover]

That's so bloody cute. I'm sure he was saying thanks. Or maybe he was just confused as to why you'd set him free and not had him for dinner I imagine he thought he was a gonner. I'm so glad you noticed him.

 

[Instinct]

That's adorable!
I'm sure he appreciates the fact that you didn't harm him. Fingers crossed he stays away from road this time!

 

[Angi]

This looks like the turtle I am trying to rehome (in San Diego). What does melanistic mean?

 

[JoesMum]

Re: RE: What is this

This looks like the turtle I am trying to rehome (in San Diego). What does melanistic mean?

Melanistic is sort of the opposite of albino... it means the creature is mostly black.

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

This looks like the turtle I am trying to rehome (in San Diego). What does melanistic mean?

Melanism is a development of dark-colored pigment in the skin or its appendages and is the opposite of albinism. Pseudo-melanism, also called abundism, is another variant of pigmentation, characterized by dark spots or enlarged stripes, which cover a large part of the body of the animal making it appear melanistic.

Some animals are born melanistic (some mammals and birds), other develope it over the years (some fish, reptiles and amphibians).

Melanistic Redfoot tortoise

Melanistic Plains Zebra

Melanistic Blue Tongue Skink

Melanistic Lion (This pic is fake, but the others are real!)​

 

[Anthony P]

It happens a lot in male sliders, especially in older specimens. This guy could have been a great great great great great grandpa...