[masraum]

We enlarged our pond about a month ago, it was bone dry. (it's just a hole in a creek that only runs in heavy storms). About a week later, we got a couple of inches of rain in about an hour which caused the creek to run and our pond filled up. I think in that event, a pretty big turtle washed into our pond. I'd guess that he's a slider, and maybe 8-10" from the front of his carapace to the back. It's hard to say for sure. I've seen him sunning on the edge of the pond many times, but if a car pulls into the drive or anyone gets within 50-60' of him, he's back in the water fast.

I'd never thought about it much, but it makes sense from a defensive/self preservation point of view, an animal that is mostly predisposed to moving slow, they should have as much awareness/warning as possible when something is approaching them.