turtle ID request

herpseeker1978 · Post by **herpseeker1978** » March 28th, 2015, 2:45 pm

Found this in Albuquerque today:

I know the one in front is a RES, but I'm unsure on the other. Any ideas?

Josh

Soro · Post by **Soro** » March 28th, 2015, 4:20 pm

That mystery one is definitely a melanistic red-eared slider. Around St. Louis sliders are the most abundant turtle to turn up in ponds and reservoirs, and melanistic males are pretty common.

simus343 · Post by **simus343** » March 28th, 2015, 4:37 pm

Old RES will lose the red coloration as they age. One day at work my boss (who is a herpetologist that focuses on turtles) had a surprise herp quiz for fun with a turtle he received. I couldn't ID it at first, I was stumped. Turned out it was a very old RES that had lost its red ear coloration.

So may be melanistic, but more likely (in my opinion) just an old Red-Ear Slider.

Mike VanValen · Post by **Mike VanValen** » March 28th, 2015, 9:41 pm

Old red-eared sliders and melanism go hand-in-hand.

Noah M · Post by **Noah M** » March 29th, 2015, 4:52 pm

I concur with what has been said about age and melanin.

simus343 · Post by **simus343** » March 30th, 2015, 1:51 pm

So as they age they become melanistic? I thought a true melanistic would be a trait exhibited from birth.

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