Animal Profiles
Reptiles

Painted Turtle

Chrysemys picta

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The painted turtle is a small freshwater turtle with bright markings around its shell and body. Groups often bask on logs above quiet North American ponds and marshes.

Chrysemys picta (painted turtle)

MH Herpetology · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Habitat
Rivers and lakes, Wetlands
Diet
Omnivore
Food
Aquatic plants and small animals.

Classification

Common name
Painted Turtle
Browse group
Reptiles
Scientific name or taxon
Chrysemys picta
Taxon rank
species
Family
Emydidae
Genus
Chrysemys
Source classification
Reptilia

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • It often basks in groups.
  • Young turtles eat more animal food than adults.
  • It dives quickly when disturbed.

Habitat and range

Painted turtles occur widely in North America. Shallow, slow or still fresh water with soft bottoms and aquatic vegetation provides food, shelter and access to basking places.

Appearance and adaptations

The smooth upper shell is dark with contrasting red and yellow markings. Striped skin and a relatively flat shell distinguish the turtle from many other freshwater species.

Diet and behaviour

Plants, aquatic insects, crustaceans, small fish and carrion are eaten. Young turtles rely more heavily on animal foods. Individuals bask together and quickly dive when disturbed; cold-region populations overwinter underwater.

Sources

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