Leo Martínez
Painted turtles are one of the most attractive varieties of pond turtles native to North America. They are found in ponds and small lakes, often basking in the sun on logs. They are easy to keep and can thrive in captivity, but there are some considerations to be made before keeping a painted turtle as a pet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Taking from the wild | Should not be taken from the wild unless trained and licensed to do so. |
| Captivity | Can thrive in captivity. |
| Releasing into the wild | Should not be released into the wild if they have been in captivity for a long time. |
| Food | Commercial pellets, live blood worms, frozen cubes of blood worms, fresh leafy vegetables like romaine, dandelion greens, and fresh parsley. |
| Housing | Large fish tank, kiddie pool, pond liner, or other large plastic containers. |
| Water | Quality water filters are a must. |
| Temperature | Should be above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. |
| Lighting | UVB lighting and supplemental heat lights. |
| Health issues | Intestinal parasites, skin, shell, and ear infections, hypovitaminosis A, metabolic bone disease. |
| Size | Between 4 and 12 inches long, with males being smaller than females. |
| Lifespan | Can live up to 50 years. |
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What You'll Learn
Captive-bred turtles are preferable to wild turtles
Another reason captive-bred turtles are preferable is that they can be transitioned to a diet of commercial food pellets, which can be easily purchased from pet stores. This is in contrast to wild turtles, which may be more difficult to feed and require live food such as bloodworms. Captive-bred turtles can also be maintained in creative and natural-looking indoor pond setups, providing a more aesthetically pleasing option for owners.
Furthermore, it is important to consider the potential impact on the wild turtle population if individuals are taken out of their natural habitat. Removing wild turtles can disrupt the delicate balance of the ecosystem and may have negative consequences for the survival of the species in that area. By choosing captive-bred turtles, you avoid contributing to the potential harm of wild turtle populations.
Additionally, captive-bred turtles may be more accustomed to human presence and interaction, making them more comfortable as pets. They can develop distinct personalities and form strong associations with their owners, particularly around mealtimes. This can lead to a more enjoyable ownership experience and a stronger bond between the turtle and its owner.
Lastly, there are ethical considerations to take into account. Taking a wild turtle and keeping it as a pet can be detrimental to the turtle's well-being, especially if it is injured. Unless you are specifically trained and licensed to rehabilitate wildlife, it is best to leave the care of injured wild turtles to professionals. By choosing a captive-bred turtle, you avoid the potential ethical dilemma of disrupting a wild turtle's natural life and potentially causing it harm.
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The painted turtle's natural habitat
The painted turtle (C. picta) is the only species in the genus Chrysemys, which falls under the parent family Emydidae, or pond turtles. There are four subspecies of the painted turtle: the eastern (C. p. picta), midland (C. p. marginata), southern (C. p. dorsalis), and western (C. p. bellii). These subspecies have evolved different habitat preferences.
Painted turtles are primarily aquatic, and their natural habitats include lakes, ponds, wetlands, marshes, swamps, and slow-flowing areas of rivers and creeks. They are drawn to shallow waters with slow-moving currents and soft, muddy, or sandy bottoms. Aquatic vegetation and abundant basking sites, such as rocks, logs, and shorelines, are also essential features of their natural habitat. Painted turtles often bask during the day, and they shelter under water at night.
The eastern painted turtle is the most aquatic of the subspecies, only leaving the water when forced by drought. They can be found in brackish waters along the Atlantic and have a broad range across North America. The midland and southern painted turtles, on the other hand, seek out quiet waters, favouring the shores and coves with dense vegetation. These subspecies are particularly tolerant of pollution.
Painted turtles can be found in various terrestrial habitats, including shrub-steppe, grassland, and forest. However, the wet, cool, mesic forests of western Washington are not suitable for them. They are wary of people and will quickly retreat into the water when approached.
While the painted turtle is considered ""apparently secure" in Washington, its population has faced threats from habitat loss and road killings, particularly impacting female painted turtles moving between terrestrial nesting sites and aquatic habitats.
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Diet and nutrition
Painted turtles are omnivores with a diverse diet, consuming a wide range of food to meet their nutritional needs. In the wild, their diet includes aquatic plants like duckweed and water lilies, algae, small fish, insects like dragonflies and beetles, crustaceans such as crayfish, and mollusks like snails.
In captivity, it may be impractical to perfectly mimic the wild diet of painted turtles, but it is essential to provide a well-rounded diet that fulfills their nutritional requirements. This includes leafy greens such as kale and lettuce, various vegetables like carrots, squash, and zucchini, and protein sources such as earthworms and fish.
For baby painted turtles, it is important to get them to eat. If they are eating commercial pellets, that is a good sign. You can also feed them Mazuri aquatic turtle diet pellets, or the gel food available at pet stores. They also enjoy live bloodworms or frozen cubes of blood worms as treats.
For older turtles, a head-sized amount of pellets twice a week is recommended. On non-pellet days, you can offer chopped vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or carrots. It is also beneficial to introduce occasional treats like mealworms or crickets, and supplements like vitamin D3 to aid in calcium absorption.
Painted turtles require a diet rich in fiber, calcium, and essential vitamins. Calcium is crucial for maintaining shell health, so calcium-rich foods like cuttlebone or calcium supplements are important. Additionally, access to 8-10 hours of UVA/UVB light is necessary for vitamin D absorption.
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Common health issues
Painted turtles are generally hardy and easy to keep in captivity. However, they are susceptible to certain health issues, especially if their enclosures are not properly maintained or their nutritional needs are not met.
One of the most common health issues in painted turtles is related to their diet and nutrition. In the wild, painted turtles are omnivores, feeding on both plant matter and meat. In captivity, it is important to provide a varied diet that includes vegetables, such as romaine or red-leaf lettuce, chopped mixed veggies, and collard greens, as well as protein sources like small feeder guppies, insects, earthworms, or even cooked chicken pieces. A lack of variety in their diet can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies. For example, insufficient UVB lighting and calcium intake can result in metabolic bone disease and shell deformities. Hypovitaminosis A, or a lack of vitamin A, can also occur if their diet is not properly balanced.
Another common health issue arises from poor water quality. Painted turtles require optimal water quality to stay healthy. Dirty water can lead to skin, shell, and ear infections. Ear infections, in particular, manifest as large bumps behind the turtle's eyes and require veterinary attention.
In addition, painted turtles, like most reptiles, naturally carry intestinal parasites. While these parasites typically do not cause issues, they can become problematic if they overpopulate the intestinal tract. Annual fecal parasite exams are recommended to monitor for any issues.
Significant weight changes, swollen eyes, open wounds on the skin, difficulty breathing, bubbles coming from the nose, and an inability to swim or breathe properly in the water are all potential warning signs of health problems in painted turtles. It is important to consult a reptile veterinarian if any of these symptoms are observed.
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Enclosure setup and maintenance
Captive painted turtles require a generously-sized, semi-aquatic enclosure. As a general rule, you should provide at least 10 gallons of water per inch of shell length. Considering that painted turtles can grow up to 10 inches long, a large enclosure is necessary. This enclosure must be completely watertight and leak-proof.
Ponds, whether indoor or outdoor, are generally superior housing for painted turtles compared to aquariums. If you have the space, an indoor pond can be a great option as it provides a more natural-looking environment for the turtle and allows for creativity in the setup. Alternatively, a stock tank or aquarium can also be used. However, it is important to note that turtles need space to move away from each other, and bullying can occur in smaller indoor tanks. Therefore, it is best to keep only one turtle per enclosure.
To maintain water quality, a canister-style filter is necessary. The filter should be capable of handling at least 2-3 times the amount of water in the enclosure. For example, if you have 120 gallons of water, you will need at least 240 gallons of filter power. In addition to filtering, it is essential to regularly replace a portion of the water. Remove and replace 30% of the water once every 1-2 weeks to prevent the toxic buildup of compounds like nitrates. A Python siphon or a water pump can assist in this process.
The water temperature should be maintained between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This can be achieved using a high-quality submersible heater rated for the number of gallons in the enclosure. To avoid potential burns to the turtle, place the heater inside a PVC pipe that is cut to the length of the heater and drill holes into the tubing. The basking zone should be maintained at a temperature of 85 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, with an ambient air temperature between 68 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit during the daytime in the summer. These temperatures can be achieved using a high-quality heat-emitting lamp, placed on a 12-hour on, 12-hour off lighting schedule.
For substrate, you can keep the tank bottom bare for ease of cleaning, or use 1/2"-1" rocks. Turtles will push through the rocks while looking for food, stimulating natural hunting behaviour. An aquarium vacuum can be used to clean the rocks every few months.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, painted turtles are commonly kept as pets. They are attractive, have great personalities, and are easy to keep and care for. They can thrive in captivity and have been known to live as long as 50 years.
You will need a large fish tank (at least 100 gallons of water) or a pond or pond liner. The water should be clean, clear, and fresh, with quality water filters providing constant filtration and aeration. The water should be maintained at a temperature between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. You will also need to provide a basking area with a good heat lamp to help the turtle thermoregulate, and UVB lighting for 12 hours a day.
Painted turtles typically eat commercial aquatic turtle pellets and fresh leafy vegetables like romaine, dandelion greens, and parsley. They also love live bloodworms, which can be bought frozen from pet stores.
