Appalachian Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles

Painted Turtle (Chrysema picta picta)

October 30, 2011

Photographed at Edith J. Carrier Arboretum, Harrisonburg, Virginia

Photograph © Steven David Johnson (All Rights Reserved)
Contact Steven David Johnson for image licensing

Maine Wildlife Park in Gray, Maine

Photograph © Steven David Johnson (All Rights Reserved)
Contact Steven David Johnson for image licensing

Juvenile painted turtle photographed at Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, New Hampshire

Photograph © Steven David Johnson (All Rights Reserved)
Contact Steven David Johnson for image licensing

Juvenile painted turtle photographed at Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, New Hampshire

Photograph © Steven David Johnson (All Rights Reserved)
Contact Steven David Johnson for image licensing

Photographed at Edith J. Carrier Arboretum, Harrisonburg, Virginia

Photograph © Steven David Johnson (All Rights Reserved)
Contact Steven David Johnson for image licensing

Text from Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

Characteristics

The painted turtle is the most common basking turtle observed in Virginia. This is a moderate-sized freshwater turtle that grows to a maximum carapace length of 7.2 inches. It has red markings on the marginal scutes and a notched upper jaw. The carapace is smooth, oval, and flattened, with the highest and widest points at the center. The back edge of the shell is not serrated. The carapace is olive to black with yellow or red borders along the seams and red bars or crescents on the marginals. Juveniles are patterned and colored as adults. The carapace is usually round for the first two years of life and elongation occurs thereafter. This species may be confused with other basking turtles when viewed from a distance. Pseudemys rubriventris and P. concinna lack the two yellow spots on the head, and are usually much larger, and have highly-domed shells compared to painted turtles. T. scripta scripta has distinct indentations along the posterior margin of the carapace and an elongated yellow bar on the side of the head. The introduced red-eared slider (T. s. elegans) has an elongated, reddish patch behind the eye. The painted turtle is most active between March and October, but it may be seen basking on warm winter days. It hibernates under logs or stumps underwater, or in muskrat or beaver lodges. Females nest on land, usually around April, and the eggs incubate for about 75 days.

Distribution

The painted turtle occurs in a variety of aquatic habitats that have permanent, slow-moving water. It inhabits ponds, lakes, ditches, swamps, rivers, creeks and marshes. Preferred habitat has aquatic vegetation, soft substrate, and basking sites.

Foods

This turtle is omnivorous. It has been known to eat beetles, algae, fish, and invertebrates.

More Information

For more information, please visit the Virginia Fish & Wildlife Information Service (direct link to species booklet).

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