Leo Martínez
Painted turtles are semi-aquatic turtles commonly found in North America's freshwater habitats. They are named for their ornate shell markings and are relatively easy to care for. To replicate their natural habitat, a painted turtle tank should be spacious, with a swimming area, shallow water, and a beach. It should also have a basking area with a light that emits UVB rays, as well as a temperature gradient ranging from 70 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The water quality and filtration are essential, and the tank should be cleaned daily to prevent parasites. Painted turtles can be fed aquatic turtle pellets, fresh leafy vegetables, and the occasional treat of insects, shrimp, or small fish. They are not domesticated and should only be handled when necessary, as they can bite and scratch.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tank type | Glass aquarium, stock watering tank, large plastic bin, kiddie pool, pond liner, or pond |
| Tank size | Large enough for the turtle to thrive when fully grown; a 40-gallon tank is too small for two turtles; a single baby painted turtle should have about 10 gallons of water volume |
| Water volume | Enough to completely submerge the turtle; the deeper the better |
| Water quality | Very important; dirty water can cause health problems |
| Water temperature | 75–80°F |
| Tank cover | Necessary to prevent escape; should be durable, easy to install, and allow UV light to enter |
| Substrate/bedding | Optional; if used, choose a particle size that is too large to be swallowed or small enough to pass through the digestive tract |
| Lighting | UVB lighting for 12 hours a day; basking light for swimming area |
| Heating | Heat lamps, under-tank heaters, or ceramic heat emitters; basking area should be 85–95°F |
| Humidity | Around 70% |
| Food | Aquatic turtle pellets, fresh leafy vegetables (e.g. romaine, dandelion greens, parsley), fresh fruit, freeze-dried shrimp, insects, and fish |
| Tank mates | Turtles of their own and other species with similar housing needs; avoid amphibians, crabs, and expensive fish |
| Cleaning | Spot-clean organic debris daily; disinfect tools used to remove waste; wash hands before and after handling the turtle |
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What You'll Learn
Water quality and tank cleanliness
Firstly, the water temperature should be maintained within a specific range. The water should be between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with the ambient air temperature between 80 and 85 degrees, and the basking area kept between 85 and 95 degrees. It is important to periodically check the temperatures in the tank, as temperatures can vary depending on the enclosure's setup and the surrounding environment.
Secondly, the water itself should be kept clean and free of debris. Daily spot-cleaning is recommended to remove organic waste, such as uneaten food, faeces, urine, and dead plants. Regular cleaning is essential, especially if you have more than one turtle in the tank. It is also important to note that turtles can carry salmonella, so it is crucial to wash your hands before and after handling your turtle or cleaning their tank.
Thirdly, filtration plays a vital role in maintaining water quality. Canister filters are recommended as they are less stressful for aquatic turtles due to the absence of mechanical vibration. External filtration helps remove uneaten food and large waste particles, increases water oxygenation, and agitates the water surface. Additionally, the use of a basking lamp over a flat stone or log can help with water oxygenation and temperature regulation.
Lastly, the substrate or tank bedding is optional but can enhance the natural appearance of the tank. If you choose to use a substrate, ensure it is too large to be swallowed or small enough to pass through your turtle's digestive tract safely. Gravel built-up with larger rocks can create a beach and basking area for your turtle, providing a dry-docking station. However, avoid using sand as it can clog filters and cause digestive issues if ingested.
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Tank size and shape
Painted turtles are semi-aquatic turtles, and their tank should resemble their natural habitat. In the wild, painted turtles are found in ponds and lakes, basking on a rock or log in the sun. Their tank should have a swimming area, a shallow end, and a beach. The deep end should be deep enough for the turtle to completely submerge, and the water should be clean and well-oxygenated.
The size of the tank depends on the size of the turtle. A single baby or juvenile painted turtle should be provided with about 10 gallons of water volume, which means a 15- or 20-gallon tank. A full-grown painted turtle will need a much larger tank, with a capacity of 100 gallons or more. Some turtle owners use a kiddie pool, pond liner, or other large plastic containers. The tank should be spacious enough for the turtle to move around in and grow into.
The shape of the tank is also important. It should have a gentle slope at one end to provide a beach or basking area, where the turtle can dry off and absorb UVB rays. This area should be kept dry and heated to between 85 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The basking area should be easily accessible to the turtle and have a flat surface, such as a slate or log, for the turtle to rest on.
The tank should have a tight-fitting screened lid to prevent the turtle from escaping and to protect it from other pets. The cover should be placed with a few inches of airspace between the water and the top of the tank. The cover should also allow UV light to enter the enclosure.
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Lighting and heating
Turtles require a source of UVB light, which is essential for their health and well-being. UVB light helps turtles produce vitamin D3, which is necessary for metabolising calcium. Without UVB light, turtles may suffer from metabolic bone disease and their shells and bones will not grow properly. UVB light also aids in the proper digestion of food. It is important to note that UVB rays cannot penetrate glass or plastic, so mesh with large holes is recommended for the tank cover. Additionally, UVB lights get very hot and should be handled with care.
The basking area of the tank, where the turtle dries off, should be illuminated with a basking light that emits UVB light. This light should be positioned directly over the basking platform to ensure the turtle receives direct light. The basking area should be kept between 90-95°F (32-35°C), while the water temperature should be maintained between 75-85°F (24-29°C). A simple halogen bulb in a dome lamp fixture can be used as a basking bulb, as long as it provides sufficient heat output. It is important to avoid "reptile-specific" basking lamps, as they are much more expensive and provide the same function as regular halogen bulbs.
To provide heat, you can use a separate heating lamp or a mercury vapour bulb that combines heating and UVB functions. If using a separate heating lamp, an incandescent light source can be placed over the basking area to provide warmth. The tank's overall temperature should be maintained between 70-85°F (21-29°C). The lights should be kept on for approximately 12 hours per day to mimic the natural day and night cycle. It is not necessary to keep the lights on at night, as turtles require periods of darkness to maintain their circadian rhythms and get adequate sleep.
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Food and treats
Painted turtles are omnivores and can eat a variety of foods, including insects, fish, and plants. A good staple diet for a painted turtle is aquatic turtle pellets, but fresh leafy vegetables should also be offered regularly. Dark, leafy greens like romaine, dandelion greens, and fresh parsley are good options and can be placed in the water or clipped to the side of the tank.
Turtles also enjoy live feeder fish and other foods they can eat in the water. When feeding your turtle in a water tank, ensure the water level covers their entire shell. You can also offer fresh, chopped apple pieces and freeze-dried shrimp as treats, but these should not make up more than 10% of their diet. An occasional guppy, cricket, or worm can be given for variety, but fatty fish like goldfish should be avoided.
Painted turtles can be messy eaters and often defecate shortly after meals. Therefore, it is important to spot-clean organic debris, such as uneaten food, within 12 hours of feeding to maintain optimal water quality and prevent health issues.
It is also important to note that turtles can carry salmonella, so always wash your hands before and after handling your turtle or cleaning their tank. Additionally, turtles are susceptible to metabolic bone disease, which can be caused by a lack of UVB lighting, insufficient calcium supplementation, or an improper diet.
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Tank mates
Painted turtles are gregarious and capable of cohabitating with turtles of their own species or other species with similar housing needs. However, it is important to ensure that there is adequate space and hiding areas in the tank to prevent territorial aggression.
When it comes to choosing tank mates for your painted turtle, it is important to consider the prey chain. While some fish and turtles can live together, any fancy fish is likely to become an expensive meal. Fast-swimming fish that can escape a turtle's grasp are a good option, and it is best to keep them in schools so that one fish is not constantly chased. Small fish and shrimp should be avoided as they will be a tasty snack for your turtle. Some sources suggest that snails can be kept with painted turtles, but they might get eaten. Amphibians should be avoided as they can be toxic to turtles.
It is important to note that turtles can carry salmonella, so it is crucial to wash your hands before and after handling your turtle or cleaning its tank.
In addition to tank mates, it is important to provide your painted turtle with an underwater hiding place and non-toxic live or plastic plants for hiding and foraging. Gravel built up with larger rocks can create a beach on one side of the tank, serving as a basking area and dry-docking station.
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Frequently asked questions
Painted turtles require a tank that closely resembles their natural habitat, including a swimming area, shallow water, and a beach. The tank should be as spacious as possible, with a minimum of 10 gallons of water for a single baby or juvenile painted turtle. A large fish tank that can hold 100 gallons of water or more is necessary for a full-grown painted turtle.
It is essential to maintain optimal water quality, enclosure temperature, and a proper diet for painted turtles. The water temperature should be maintained within the range of 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and the basking area should be kept between 85 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Provide a basking light over a flat stone or log, and create a temperature gradient so your turtle can choose its preferred temperature. You should also include a tight-fitting screened lid to prevent escape and allow UV light to enter.
Painted turtles should be fed a staple diet of aquatic turtle pellets, fresh leafy vegetables, and dark, leafy greens like romaine, dandelion greens, and parsley. Fresh, chopped apple pieces and freeze-dried shrimp can be offered as treats, but these should not exceed 10% of their diet. Painted turtles will also eat insects and fish, but fatty fish like goldfish should be avoided.
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