Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I own 4 large painteds that i keep in a pond in my backyard.A friend of mine gave me one he found on a road.i really didnt want it but when he showed it to me i couldnt resist because this turtle had something wierd going on. its sheel was slanted up in the middle and went strait down it looked like a ramp i have never seen anything like it.and today i was feeding him and it made a noise like a cat several times. has anyone ever experiences anything like this?

At the lake where I get to see lots of turtles I'm always amazed at the variation in painted turtle shells. Some are flat and smooth, others are high and rounded, and some have that flair off the back like yours does. All of the other turtles, RES, Redbellies, etc. are all very consistent. I guess it's a Painted Turtle thing.
That cat noise. You've never heard a turtle hiss before? They can only do it when they're out of the water. Snappers are famous for it. But I've heard Diamondbacks do it. It's just a defense mechanism to scare off potential threats.
Bob, Philadelphia.

I once found a defective common snapping turtle whoose shell was shaped kinda like a firemans helmet, about half way from the front, it went straight down. Pretty cool stuff.