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Painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) are the most common and widespread turtles in North America, especially in Wisconsin and Washington. They are highly dependent on water, and can be found in marshes, lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams. They are diurnal, sheltering underwater at night and basking on rocks, logs, and the shore during the day. They are identifiable by their yellow face markings and coloured pattern on their underbellies. The carapace (top shell) is olive, dark brown, or black, and may have yellow and red borders on the seams, while the plastron (bottom shell) is red.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Painted Turtle |
| Scientific Name | Chrysemys picta |
| Habitat | Marshes, lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams |
| Behaviour | Diurnal; shelter under water at night; bask on rocks, logs, and the shore during the day |
| Diet | Aquatic plants, small fish, crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates like dragonfly larvae |
| Reproduction | Females nest on land; eggs take about 80 days to hatch |
| Identification | Bright red or orange-red markings on the plastron and undersides of the marginal scales of the carapace; yellow face markings; unique plastron (belly) pattern |
| Subspecies | Western, Midland, and Intergrade between Midland and Western |
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What You'll Learn
- Look for yellow face markings and a coloured pattern on the underbelly
- Examine the shell for notches and patterns
- Observe the turtle's behaviour—painted turtles are wary of people
- Check the location—painted turtles are common in Washington and Wisconsin
- Look for red or orange-red markings on the plastron and undersides of the carapace
Look for yellow face markings and a coloured pattern on the underbelly
The painted turtle is a medium-sized aquatic turtle native to North America. It is the most common and widespread turtle in North America and Wisconsin's most common turtle species. It is also found in Washington, where it may have been introduced to the Puget Sound region in the 1950s and 1960s.
The painted turtle can be identified by its yellow face markings and coloured pattern on the underbelly. The shell is oval, smooth, and flat-bottomed, and the colour of the top shell (carapace) varies from olive to black. The bottom shell (plastron) is yellow, sometimes red, sometimes with dark markings in the centre. The turtle's skin is olive to black with red, orange, or yellow stripes on its extremities. The face has only yellow stripes, with a large yellow spot and streak behind each eye, and on the chin, two wide yellow stripes that meet at the tip of the jaw. The plastron (belly) pattern is unique to each turtle and remains the same throughout its life.
The painted turtle's generic name is derived from the Ancient Greek words for "gold" (chryso) and "freshwater tortoise" (emys). The species name originates from the Latin for "coloured" (pictus). The subspecies name, marginata, derives from the Latin for "border" and refers to the red markings on the outer (marginal) part of the upper shell.
The painted turtle is highly dependent on water, especially waters that can support aquatic vegetation, which it eats. It can be found in marshes, lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams. It is essential to protect their habitat and restore waterways to support turtle populations. If you encounter a painted turtle in the wild, it is best to leave it alone.
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Examine the shell for notches and patterns
When examining the shell of a painted turtle, you should look for notches and patterns. The shell patterning of painted turtles can vary depending on the subspecies and the individual turtle, but there are some general characteristics to look out for.
The carapace (top shell) of painted turtles is typically olive, dark brown, or black. It may also have yellow and red borders on the seams. The carapace is relatively smooth, especially in older individuals, and lacks a dorsal keel except for a weak one in hatchlings. The posterior marginals are not serrated.
The plastron (bottom shell) of painted turtles usually has red markings, with a large, lobed, yellow and black blotch in the centre. The pattern on the plastron can vary, with some individuals having unique patterns that can be used for identification. The plastron may also feature bright red or orange-red markings on the undersides of the marginal scales. Over time, the colour of the plastron can fade, and the carapace can become pitted and worn.
In terms of notches, some organisations, such as Wildlife Preservation Canada, notch the shells of wild turtles to facilitate identification and tracking. The left side of the shell may have a notch pattern that corresponds to a specific site code, while the right side has an individual notch to differentiate between turtles within the same site. These notches are created using clippers and a file, and the process is similar to getting an ear pierced.
Additionally, some physical characteristics of the shell can help identify the sex of the painted turtle. For example, the curvature of the shell may indicate the sex, with some users mentioning that a curved shell could be indicative of a female turtle.
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Observe the turtle's behaviour—painted turtles are wary of people
Painted turtles are known to be wary of people. If you approach one, it will likely slip into the water. They are also known to be shy and skittish, so it is important to be cautious and respectful when observing them in their natural habitat.
When observing a painted turtle's behaviour, look out for the following:
Painted turtles are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. They typically start their day by basking on rocks, logs, or the shore, and continue to bask throughout the day. They rely on warmth from their surroundings, so they are more likely to be active on sunny days. During the winter, they hibernate, usually burying themselves in mud or underwater.
Painted turtles are highly dependent on water and are excellent swimmers. They are most commonly found in slow-moving freshwater habitats, such as marshes, lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams. They are very aquatic and rarely stray far from their water bodies unless forced to migrate during droughts. They feed on aquatic vegetation, algae, and small water creatures, such as insects, crustaceans, and fish.
Another behaviour to observe is their mating and nesting habits. Painted turtles mate in the spring and autumn, and females dig nests on land near bodies of water to lay their eggs. If you see a painted turtle out of the water, it could be a female looking for a nesting site. It is important to give her space and leave her alone, as disturbing her can impact her nesting process.
Additionally, painted turtles exhibit unique behaviours when confronted by predators. Juvenile painted turtles, when taken by largemouth bass, will thrash and claw, often causing the predator to release them. This behaviour is not common among all turtle species and provides a survival advantage to the painted turtle.
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Check the location—painted turtles are common in Washington and Wisconsin
If you're trying to identify a painted turtle, checking its location is a good place to start. Painted turtles are common in Washington and Wisconsin. In Washington, painted turtles have been documented in all ecoregions, but they are most commonly found at the lower elevations of eastern Washington, the Columbia Gorge, and the Puget Trough. The species is also well-distributed throughout the Puget Sound region. In Wisconsin, painted turtles are the state's most abundant turtle species and can be found in marshes, lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams. The Western subspecies is the most common in the Winnebago region of the state.
Painted turtles are highly dependent on water, especially waters that can support aquatic vegetation, which they eat. They are often found basking near the water, on rocks, logs, and the shore. They tend to be wary of people and will quickly slip into the water when approached. They are most active as soon as water temperatures warm and the sun's rays create conditions suitable for basking, usually in late March or early April.
In Washington, painted turtles favour aquatic habitats with lots of aquatic vegetation, including lakes, ponds, wetlands, and slow-flowing areas of rivers and creeks. They are also found in terrestrial habitats such as shrub-steppe, grassland, and forest, although the wet, cool, mesic forests of western Washington are not a suitable habitat. In Wisconsin, painted turtles typically grow up to 10 inches and are coldblooded, so they are likely to be found basking in the sun.
Painted turtles are native to Washington and Wisconsin, but they can also be found in other parts of North America, where they are the most common and widespread turtle species. They are highly adaptable and can survive in a range of habitats, from marshes and ponds to rivers and streams. They are also able to survive subfreezing temperatures in Wisconsin's cold winters by keeping their blood supercooled and resisting ice crystal penetration in their skin.
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Look for red or orange-red markings on the plastron and undersides of the carapace
One of the most distinctive features of painted turtles is the presence of red or orange-red markings on the plastron (belly) and the undersides of the carapace (top shell). The plastron is often described as stunningly red, with a large, lobed, yellow and black blotch in its centre, and the carapace may have yellow and red borders on the seams with prominent red bars or spots on the undersides of the marginals (edge scales). The pattern on the plastron is unique to each individual turtle and remains the same throughout its life, although the complexity of the stripes within the pattern can increase as the turtle ages.
The presence of these red or orange-red markings on the plastron and carapace is a defining feature of painted turtles and can be used as a key identifier. The patterning and colouration of the shell can provide important information about the species and even the individual turtle. The colour of the plastron can also provide some indication of the turtle's age, as it tends to fade as the turtle gets older.
While painted turtles typically have solid olive-coloured carapaces, the red or orange-red markings on the plastron and undersides of the carapace are what truly set them apart. These markings can vary in intensity and pattern, but they are always present in painted turtles. Without these markings, it is unlikely that the turtle in question is a painted turtle.
It is important to note that the colour and pattern of a turtle's shell can vary, and there may be exceptions or variations within a species. Additionally, the visibility of the shell can be impacted by the turtle's position and the clarity of the water. Thus, it is always advisable to consider multiple factors and characteristics when identifying a turtle, rather than relying solely on shell colouration.
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Frequently asked questions
Painted turtles have yellow face markings and a coloured pattern on their underbelly. They are primarily found in water, basking on rocks, logs, and the shore during the day. They are wary of people and quickly slip into the water when approached.
Painted turtles are the most common and widespread turtle species in North America. They are highly dependent on water and can be found in marshes, lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams. They do not have teeth but have tough plates in their jaws for gripping and crushing food.
Western Painted Turtles have yellow stripes on their legs, while Eastern Painted Turtles do not. Western Painted Turtles also have a black and yellow pattern on their plastron (bottom shell), which fans out from the middle like a butterfly.
