Help Please; do you know this species?

i found this turtle outside and i need to know what type it is right now i am caring for it.

ANOTHER PICTURE

I'm not sure what kind of turtle it is, but it sure is interesting! Maybe try searching for a turtle forum?

It looks like a painted turtle to me, but a bit hard to tell from the picture. If you just found it outside, I think it could be a female out and about to lay eggs... my suggestion would be to let her back out to care for herself.

Here is a site about painted turtles with a couple pictures, though the eastern and western look a bit different. http://www.holoweb.com/cannon/painted.htm

The plastern (underside of the shell) may be colorful or plain, depending on whether it is a juvenile or adult, or an eastern or western painted. Good luck :)