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While I was out catching green tree frogs last night I found a very peculiar looking slider. The carapace is a little less than dinner plate size it has a normal slider plastron except its pattern less yellow, its head is one of a snapper or musk it is large and gray with black stripes, the color of the carapace seems to be calico and is very odd yet beautiful.it weighs 3-6lbs. It has a longer tail than the normal sliders I catch every day. I live in Florida around Sarasota. It was found in a drainage ditch in about 7 inches of water. I also found around it 9 or 10 stinkpots.

thanks,
Spencer

P.S. I will try to get pics.

Hello Spencer:
It sounds like what you might have found is a very old Red-Ear though without a picture it is hard to tell. Some Red-Ears (though not all), as they age, lose much of their color on both the carapace and the skin. These animals become various shades of greys and other darker earthen tones. Some people think they have found a melanistic animal when all they've really found is an old animal. I have a very old female that has lost most of it's color and would easily fit the description you have.
I live in Central Florida to and find Red Ears to be a fairly common species here.
I hope this info helps.
Have a Great Day!!!