South of the Willamette Valley, western pond turtles become more abundant. In western Oregon they are only found up to 3,000 feet in elevation. Both species of turtle were harvested by the thousands in the late 1800s for restaurants up and down the West Coast. Later, they were commonly collected for sale as pets. They are thought to be harmful to the native species - introduced into the environment from somewhere else, usually originating as pet turtles bought at stores.
Sliders have a bright red patch behind the eye, as well as a yellow-striped head.
They have a bright yellow plastron.