I found what appears to be a RES where I work at a golf course in northwest Washington state, not far from Canada. Well outside the natural range obviously. So I assume this is an abandoned pet. I just found someone to adopt a RES I had rehabilitated and don't have any tanks or equipment to care for one now. Otherwise I would have felt compelled to take it home. But it looks healthy. Although for all I know it just got there. There are plenty of ponds at the course and although this region is a far cry from it's southern range, it is summer for now. Also I picked it up and it didn't freak out, which lends to my abandoned pet theory.
Is this in fact a red eared slider? It clearly has the stripes but it's shell reminds me of the native box turtles we have around here. Is a halfbreed possible? It's carapace was 6-8 inches I guess.
I understand that RES are super hardy despite the fact they have such specific needs in captivity, and are capable of managing in the wild outside of their normal range, so is there any reason to take this turtle into captivity? I also understand that transplanted RES can be detrimental to native species, but I don't know of any native turtles in these ponds, although I heard there are. Seems to me one turtle without the ability to breed isn't much of a threat. But can a RES really survive a northwest winter? I have my doubts.
