This is an interesting case Dr. Mertz recently saw in Odd Pet Vet. This painted turtle is suffering from shell rot, which is a fast acting bacterial infection of skin and bone. Shell rot is often ...

The Pacific Northwest has two native freshwater turtles, the Western painted turtle and the Western pond turtle. The pond turtle, found on the West Side, is state-listed as endangered in Washington.

The painted turtle is the most abundant turtle in North America. Four regional subspecies exist; although their ranges overlap and border populations interbreed, the subspecies differ in appearance, ...