Chrysemys picta

In the north, hatchling painted turtles can survive even when their body fluids partially freeze during the winter.
 
Photo Credit: Geoffrey A. Hammerson
Chrysemys picta
Common Name: painted turtle
Animal Guild: Reptile
Class > Order > Family: Reptilia > Testudines > Emydidae
What does the species look like?

Painted turtles have a hard, somewhat flattened shell and bright yellow lines on their head and limbs. Their lower shell is orange or reddish (the shells of juveniles have conspicuous dark markings), and their upper shell often has narrow, yellow lines that are smaller in larger turtles. Their upper jaw is notched at the tip. The upper shell of females can reach a length of about 9.8 inches (25 cm), rarely more than 8.3 inches (21 cm); males are much smaller.

Mature males: The anal opening is located beyond the rear edge of the upper shell when the tail is extended. Their fingernails are very long, and their lower shell is not concave.

Mature females: The anal opening is at or inside the rear edge of the upper shell when the tail is extended. Their fingernails are not especially long.

Juveniles: The jueveniles are similar to the mature females, with a deep crease across the abdominal shields on their lower shell.

Hatchlings: Their upper shell is keeled (has a ridge). Their lower shell is vivid orange or red, with a central, irregularly shaped, dark patch. Their upper shell can reach a length of 0.8 to 1.1 inches (19 to 28 mm); the average is 0.91 to 0.94 inches (23 to 24 mm).

Eggs: Elliptical, whitish, and have a smooth surface with small pores. The egg shell is initially flexble, then becomes more rigid. Eggs can reach 21-36 mm x 15-21 mm (mostly about 29-33 x 18-19 mm).
 
Where is the species found?
States & Provinces
AB, AL, AR, AZ, BC, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MB, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NB, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NS, NV, NY, OH, OK, ON, OR, PA, QC, RI, SC, SD, SK, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
Distribution

The range extends from southern Canada, from British Columbia to Nova Scotia, south through Oregon, northern Idaho, Colorado, and most of the central and eastern United States (but not Florida), and disjunctly, southwest to southwestern Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Chihuahua, Mexico. This species has been introduced in several locations in the western U.S. and western Canada.
 

This species habitat includes slow-moving, shallow waters with soft bottoms, aquatic plants, and places to bask, for example, streams, marshes, swamps, ponds, lakes, and reservoirs. Painted turtles may also live in flooded areas near permanent water. Females dig nests in soft soil in open areas as many as several hundred yards or meters from water.
 

 
General Phenology and Life History

Painted turtles nest between late May and early July, maybe a little earlier in the south. Hatchlings usually stay in their nests in winter and emerge in spring. In most areas, painted turtles are most active in March or April through October, although they may be active during warm weather in other months, especially in the South.
 
Which phenophases should I observe?
Do you see/hear...?
Activity Individuals on land
One or more individuals are seen active or at rest on land, including individuals found under cover of a rock, log, or burrow.
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Individuals in water
One or more individuals are seen active or at rest in water, including individuals basking on a log or rock in the water.
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Feeding
One or more individuals are seen feeding. If possible, record the name of the species or substance being eaten or describe it in the comments field.

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Reproduction Nesting
One or more adult females are seen nesting. This includes actual laying of eggs or excavating the nest cavity. It does not include turtles that are likely engaged only in basking.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Development Young individuals
One or more recently hatched or young individuals are seen, living or dead, including those individuals found dead on a road.

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Dead individuals
One or more dead individuals are seen.

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What do these phenophases look like?

There is currently no photoguide available for this species. If you'd like help us create one, use the guidance document and species template provided here. Then send it via email to education@usanpn.org when it is complete.