Painted Turtle

Chrysemys picta

Painted turtles are familiar freshwater turtles of North America, recognized by a smooth dark shell edged with red or yellow markings and a striped head and neck. Chrysemys picta lives in ponds, marshes, slow rivers, and lakes with soft bottoms, basking sites, and aquatic vegetation. Regional forms such as eastern, midland, southern, and western painted turtles differ in shell markings and range, but all share a strong basking habit and a tolerance for seasonal climates.

As pets or education animals, painted turtles require more infrastructure than their small hatchling size suggests. Adults need spacious filtered water, a dry basking platform, ultraviolet lighting, and a diet that shifts from more animal protein in juveniles toward mixed plant and animal foods. Many arrive in rescues after outgrowing small aquariums. Wildlife managers also deal with road mortality, nest predation, and release concerns, so locally collected turtles and unwanted pets should be handled under appropriate regional guidance.