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Keesha with our Mascot "Harley" - Three-toed Box Turtle - Ornate Box Turtle
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LOST YOUR TURTLE?Contact Turtle Talk Rescue turtletalkrescue@msn.com
Leave a description of your lost turtle/tortoise along with your contact information; name, email address and phone number. If we hear anything through our network, we will contact you.
Western Painted Turtle - Native to Idaho
Compare Western Paint Turtle to Red Earred Slider
Red Earred Slider - NOT Native to Idaho
Did you know that we have wild turtles in Idaho? The Western Painted Turtle lives in our local waterways. You may see them in ponds or walking on land, but do not try to catch them. They need to stay in their natural habitat to grow healthy and strong. They do not need “rescued”, they need to live in the wild. Be a turtle watcher! It is so fun to just sit and watch them swim.
The Western Painted Turtle is easy to identify. Let’s compare our Western Painted Turtle found in the Northwest to the Red Eared Slider found in the Southeastern United States.
Left Photo: Our Native Turtle is the “Western Painted Turtle”. They have a beautiful red plastron (under shell) with unique designs. They have a dark green Carapace (top shell) and a yellow and green striped face. The “Western Painted Turtle” does NOT have any red stripes on his face.
Center Photo: Compare the plastron (under shell) of the “Western Painted Turtle” on the Left to the “Red Eared Slider” on the Right.
Right Photo: The “Red Eared Slider” is sold in many pet stores across the nation. They have a yellow and dark green plastron (under shell). Their Carapace (top shell) is olive green to dark green with black & yellow designs. They have red stripes on each side of their face. These animals are not native to Idaho and it is illegal to release them into our waterways.
Please do not simply release your unwanted pet in a park, pond, or wilderness area thinking that he will be better off. If they are not a local animal, they are considered an invasive species, and will take away the habitat of our native “Western Painted Turtle”. Most of the commonly available species in the pet trade will not survive our harsh winters here in Idaho.
If you can no longer take care of your Turtle or Tortoise, please be a responsible pet owner and find your pet a new family that can take care of him. He is counting on you to make the right decision for his life.
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Turtle Talk Rescue have cared for a variety of turtles and tortoises through the years.
The most common have been the African Spurred Tortoise, the Russian Tortoise, and the Box Turtle.
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"African Spurred Tortoise" or better know as "Sulcata" 150-200 lbs 100 yr Commitment
Russian Tortoise 8" 60 yr. commitment
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Ornate Box Turtle 5.5" 60 yr. commitment
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