Considering your painted turtle is from SW Ohio, it is very likely that it is a midland painted turtle (Chrysemys picta marginata). The reason you may not see that dark central blotch on the plastron that is characteristic of midlands, doesn't mean it didn't have a parent that was a midland painted turtle. Do you see what I'm saying? For example, maybe your turtle had a midland mother and an eastern father and the father's genetic traits were more dominant and stronger than the mothers resulting in your painted turtle not exhibiting a dark blotch in the center of its plastron. From the photo you've provided, it looks as though your painted turtle may be a female because the tail is looking thin, although I would rather have a better view of the cloaca and the rest of tail. You should wait a little while until your turtle matures and then make a decision on what sex it is. As for your tank dilemma, I would use the largest tank that I could provide (I always say "the bigger, the better" because this gives the turtle (or any other herp for that matter) more room to stretch and thus the animal is less stressed and in better health. If you live in a dorm, as you've stated, stick with the 10 gallon until you're sure you can have a large tank, but make sure you keep the water scrupulously clean and free of chlorine and other metals. Once you do, don't forget to vividly adorn it with plenty of plants (artificial or live, depending on the amount of work you want to do) to give cover to your turtle and make him/her feel more at home. I am currently raising 4 baby midlands and one of them (his name is Hutch) exhibits the same color/pattern on his plastron as your turtle. I hope this helps and I wish you good luck in raising your cute little painted. She/he is a beauty! Absolutely gorgeous!

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