Yes, the Red Slider is a turtle, and the one on Lorraine's left foot is practically crawling off her skin.
She has three of them alive at home, named "Dikiewamish" "Panchito," and "Panchita." She sent me a photo of one of them. I'm not sure whic one of the three he/she is:
She loves turtles and wanted to pay tribute to her amphibious friends.
Her tattoo was inked at Studio Enigma in the Howard Beach section of Queens (not to be confused by Studio Enigma on Avenue U in Brooklyn). Her artist was Freddie.
Thanks to Lorraine for sharing her tat-turtle with us!