we are not done with the painted turtle yet in 2005 the people of Illinois voted and declared it as their state reptile beating out other contenders like the eastern box turtle and the common garter snake this little turtle is not just a local Superstar it's one of the most widespread turtles in the USA and Canada its name comes from the Greek word for gold and the Latin word for colorful although its evolutionary history is not well understood the painted turtle is divided into Eastern Midland southern and western subspecies despite facing some threats it is classified as least concern for extinction it has a very similar appearance to the red eared slider and the two are often confused however it can be distinguished by its flatter profile and the absence of the slider's prominent red marking the ear on the side of its head so next time you're buy a pond in the Prairie State keep an eye out for this colorful shelled Ambassador a living piece of Illinois State pride remember to like And subscribe