Turtle ID help

[Jammrock]

Anyone know, or can figure out for sure, what species of turtle this is? If it is what we think it is... it may be endangered.

top.jpghead.jpgbottom.jpg

[Dr Mordrid]

Are you in N America? If so try this turtle ID page,

http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?guide=Turtles

[Jammrock]

Yes and I am, and I already have. Didn't come up with any conclusive results.

The turtle is 27 years old. We're the third family to care for it. My wife thinks it's a Northern Wood Turtle. The original family lived in Chicago at the time they got it, so it's plausible. We're just not sure.

[Dr Mordrid]

When it pulls in its head does a trap door shut, hinged at the lower shell? I see the possibles as a wood, box ( the trap door) or a slider. Sliders are more common around Chicago, 2 of the 4 common turtles there being softshells, and the others in southern Michigan and Wisconsin.

[cjolley]

I think it's a Painted Turtle. Looks like a Red Ear without the red ear. The center markings on it's plastron are questionable, but they are pretty variable on Painted Turtles.
I don't think Northern Wood Turtles have those stripes on their skin.

[Dr Mordrid]

Correct. Wood turtles usually have either a solid colored head or a 2 tone paint job, darker on top. Painted turtles usually have a lower, smooth shell. Slider shells are usually higher and "lumpier." Around here we have to be careful because of a large population of Snappers. Big ones.

[SitFlyer]

I agree with cjolley.
Looks like it's a Midland Painted Turtle

[Dr Mordrid]

Is the upper shell dark and smooth, without raised segments? If so possibly, but if it's lumpy not so much.

[cjolley]

Is the upper shell dark and smooth, without raised segments? If so possibly, but if it's lumpy not so much.

It's a pretty old turtle, so the smoothness factor might be less important.
It doesn't show up well in the photos, but there might be a pink or red tinge to the inside of the upper and lower shells. That's a Painted Turtle trait.
If it is a painted turtle it's almost certainly a Midland.

[Jammrock]

The shell is not smooth. I'll try to get a better picture.

The turtle does not have a trap door.

[Jammrock]

My Dad thinks it's a map turtle. Or perhaps a painted/map mix? I contacted the original owners. Waiting to see if they can solve the mystery once and for all.

[cjolley]

It's not a Map Turtle. http://srelherp.uga.edu/turtles/grageo.htm

PS IMHO

[Jammrock]

I think the mystery is solved. It's a Central American ornate wood turtle. The turtle must have been imported, not local to the US North as I was told.

http://animal-world.com/encyclo/reptiles/turtles/OrnateWoodTurtle.php

[Umfriend]

I don't think this is an endangered species so...hope you enjoy the soup!

[cjolley]

Does it overwinter outside in the northern US?