Painted Turtle (Formerly Northern Painted Turtle)
Other Names: Western Painted TurtleScientific Name: Chrysemys picta
Family: Emydidae
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Description & Size
- Somewhat flattened upper shell (carapace)
- Smooth carapace
- Shell length: 6.3-25.4 cm (2.5-10 in)
- Carapace color: olive, brown, or black
- Plastron color: brightly colored, red
- Skin color: olive or brown with yellow lines
- Males: very long tail and claws on their forelimbs
Habitat
- Any body of water
Diet
- Omnivorous
- Aquatic vegetation
- Aquatic invertebrates
- Small fish
- Tadpoles
Life History
- Diurnal
- Active season: March – mid October
- Breeding season: Early spring and fall
- Lays eggs
- 1-2 clutches of 1-25 eggs per female
