This turtle was spotted by a friend of mine in Lajitas Texas. I'm not a turtle guy, so I decided to come to FHF for an ID.
This is the only photo.
Turtle ID Request: Lajitas Texas
Moderator: Scott Waters
Re: Turtle ID Request: Lajitas Texas
Looks like a Western Painted Turtle.
Re: Turtle ID Request: Lajitas Texas
I agree with Owen. That's the first thing I thought of when I saw it.
Dan
Dan
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Re: Turtle ID Request: Lajitas Texas
I thought it was one of those colorful Rio Grande red-eared sliders Trachemys scripta.
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Re: Turtle ID Request: Lajitas Texas
How big is it? Any chance it could be a Rio Grande Cooter, Pseudemys gorzugi?
Re: Turtle ID Request: Lajitas Texas
I was told it was about 7 inches long. I did not see it myself and this is the only photograph.chris_mcmartin wrote:How big is it?
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Re: Turtle ID Request: Lajitas Texas
Hmm...I was hoping he said it was bigger than that which would make it more likely it'd be a gorzugi.
Re: Turtle ID Request: Lajitas Texas
T. gaigeae? I know of some recent studies on the hybridization of this species and T. s. elegans from the Rio Grande, so this is my guess...
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Re: Turtle ID Request: Lajitas Texas
What sayeth the Esteemed Assembly on the ID of this specimen struggling mightily against floodwaters crossing a Certain Road in the Trans-Pecos?
Re: Turtle ID Request: Lajitas Texas
Chris, that looks like gorzugi with the red outlining the shell...at least it looks like it from the ones I've seen here in NM.
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Re: Turtle ID Request: Lajitas Texas
Looks like a western painted to me too.
-Chris
-Chris
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Re: Turtle ID Request: Lajitas Texas
ErikNM wrote:Chris, that looks like gorzugi with the red outlining the shell...at least it looks like it from the ones I've seen here in NM.
That was my ID as well (for my pics)...especially considering the individual's size and the domed shell.
Daryl's pic is a little bit harder to tell, but it seems to be a "flatter" turtle.
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Re: Turtle ID Request: Lajitas Texas
My initial assessment was painted turtle as well. However the carapacial pattern is much more pronounced than the painteds I have seen (granted a 1000 miles away, but all westerns). Ernst and Lovich have an excellent book, Turtles of the United States and Canada. It might prove helpfull if you have access to a copy.
Ian
Ian
Re: Turtle ID Request: Lajitas Texas
Trachemys gaigeae
Shell is not low and smooth like Chrysemys, not evenly arched like Pseudemys. P. gorzugi has a reticulate carapacial pattern; Trachemys has pale transverse streaks, as seen in photo. Also, T. gaigeae is the only emydid turtle that lives anywhere near Lajitas.
Jeff
Shell is not low and smooth like Chrysemys, not evenly arched like Pseudemys. P. gorzugi has a reticulate carapacial pattern; Trachemys has pale transverse streaks, as seen in photo. Also, T. gaigeae is the only emydid turtle that lives anywhere near Lajitas.
Jeff
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Re: Turtle ID Request: Lajitas Texas
The three vertebral stripe pattern has me agreeing with Trachemys gaigeae.
Re: Turtle ID Request: Lajitas Texas
Thanks for the replies. It looks like we’ve got three candidates.
((Edited to reflect Owen, Ian and McMartin's revised opinions.))
- Western Painted (Chrysemys picta bellii) near edge of range. (Krull, Smith)
Rio Grande Red-eared Slider (Trachemys gaigeae) native. (Love, Jacob, Jeff, VanValen, Owen, Ian, McMartin)
Rio Grande Cooter (Pseudemys gorzugi) native.
((Edited to reflect Owen, Ian and McMartin's revised opinions.))
Re: Turtle ID Request: Lajitas Texas
I 100% trust Jeff on this one. It has more of a Trachemys look to the shell and patern anyway. Color looked like my CA transplant Chrysemys hence my 'looks like' guess.
Re: Turtle ID Request: Lajitas Texas
Thanks Owen. I revised the scorecard accordingly.Owen wrote:I 100% trust Jeff on this one.
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Re: Turtle ID Request: Lajitas Texas
Put me on the Trachemys side of the scorecard too
Re: Turtle ID Request: Lajitas Texas
Thanks Ian. Done.joeysgreen wrote:Put me on the Trachemys side of the scorecard too
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Re: Turtle ID Request: Lajitas Texas
I was just offering gorzugi as a possibility, but I hadn't even considered gaigeae which sounds the most plausible.
Re: Turtle ID Request: Lajitas Texas
I think I see a pattern developing here.
Anyone care to make an argument AGAINST the ID of Rio Grande Red-eared Slider?
Anyone care to make an argument AGAINST the ID of Rio Grande Red-eared Slider?