This non-native species must have been dropped off at the pond by someone who no longer wanted to care for it. Unfortunately, these turtles are popular in the pet trade. When they become too big their owners often take them to a local wetland or pond and dispose of them, thinking they will be able to survive. Some do, some don't. Turtles as pets is a very bad idea. This one has been around the pond for about 3 weeks at least. It was sharing the turtle raft with one of the painted turtles.

With the addition of a Blanding's turtle sighted at our pond the other day, we now have four species of turtles in the pond: 2 painted turtles, one snapping turtle, one red-eared slider and one blanding's.