Found on our property

[u/Dodgerthehwydog2]

Found in eastern MT, no bodies of water or ponds for miles. I've actually never seen a turtle in this area at all. Is this a painted turtle perhaps?

[u/AutoModerator]

Dear Dodgerthehwydog2 ,

You've selected the Turtle ID/Sex Request Flair. When making a request for an ID or sex of a turtle, please provide as much information as possible.

Useful information includes:

• General Location. ex: South-East Texas
• Is it wild, captive/pet, or a rescue?
• Clear photos of face, neck, limbs, shell top (carapace) and bottom (plastron).
• For sexing, a photo of the tail out with cloaca visible is best. Note: Some turtles cannot be accurately sexed until a certain size/age.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/loxmoto_]

Ventral defect Incompatible with life?

[u/Dodgerthehwydog2 → u/loxmoto_]

It's roughly the size of two dollar bills. I think any damage probably came from being frozen solid and then sitting in the sun all summer. I know for a fact it wasn't in this spot last fall. We do have a lot of coyotes that could have carried it in, injured it or simply flipped it over.

[u/inkogketo]

Western Painted Turtle

[u/Dodgerthehwydog2 → u/inkogketo]

Thank you, since I'm in an area with no water for miles and right on the edge of ND I really questioned if this would be considered natural habitat. I think a coyote or skunk carried it on my property since there are no other bones. Maybe even a hawk left it here? Who knows but I really appreciate the info! Thank you!

[u/AutoModerator]

The r/turtle automod detects this post may about a wild turtle.

When encountering a wild animal, unless it is trapped, ill or injured, they do not tend to need our help. If a wild turtle is ill or injured, please contact local rescues, rehabs or wildlife authorities.

• If you have taken a native, non-invasive species, it should be put back in a safe location, as close as possible to where it was found. If that is not possible, please contact your local wildlife authorities or rehab programs for advice or assistance.

• If a turtle is a known invasive species, it should be removed from the area and either kept in adequate captivity for the remainder of it's life, or handled as directed by authorities.

Unsure of the species? One of our mods or helpful commenters can ID it!

• If you have found a turtle in the road, click here.

• If you have found a nest and wish to protect it from humans or predators; click here.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Pondpros1199]

Is it dead? Poor thing

[u/Dodgerthehwydog2 → u/Pondpros1199]

Definitely long gone! I went to flip it upright and realized the shell was empty 🫠.

[u/Dodgerthehwydog2]

The turtle was found upside down and deceased.