Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) in the wild — Catch'Um species field guide

Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) wildlife photograph

Overview

Painted turtles are colourful freshwater turtles of ponds, lakes, and slow rivers across much of North America. Smooth dark shells edged with red or yellow, bright neck stripes, and crowded basking logs make them one of the continent’s most familiar turtles.

For US collectors, the painted turtle is a pond-side common catch — stacked baskers on a log, red shell trim, and the easiest turtle many people meet at a park lake.

Scientific nameChrysemys picta
Length10–18 cm shell
Weight300–500 g
LifespanAround 20–40 years in the wild
DietAquatic plants
ConservationLeast Concern
RegionUS Ponds & Slow Waters

Habitat

Pond
Lake margin
Marsh
Slow river

Ponds, lakes, marshes, and slow rivers across the United States with soft bottoms, aquatic plants, and sunny basking sites such as logs and rocks.

Countries found

Painted Turtle in United States

Field notes

Field scale for the Painted Turtle: length around 10-18 cm shell; weight 300-500 g. Typical lifespan: Around 20-40 years in the wild.

When you are scanning habitat, prioritise pond, lake margin, marsh, and slow river. Those settings are where a clean look and a usable photo are most likely.

Quick ID anchor: Smooth oval shell with red or yellow border markings and striped head and neck. Confirm with behaviour and habitat before you log the discovery.

Diet

Aquatic plants, algae, insects, crayfish, molluscs, and carrion.

Younger turtles eat more animal prey; adults take more vegetation.

Behaviour

Diurnal baskers that slip into water when disturbed.

Hibernate in muddy bottoms through cold winters.

How to identify

Smooth oval shell with red or yellow border markings and striped head and neck.

Smaller and flatter than snapping turtles; often crowd basking sites.

Interesting facts

01
Named for red and yellow markings on shell margins and soft parts.
02
Often bask in stacks on logs and rocks.
03
Omnivorous — plants, insects, crayfish, and carrion.
04
Four subspecies span much of North America.
05
Females dig nests in sunny soil to lay eggs.
06
Among the most widespread turtles in North America.

Conservation status

LC: Least Concern

Painted turtles are Least Concern and remain common across a huge range. Road mortality during nesting movements and wetland loss are the main local threats.

Sources: IUCN Red List