Western
New York Herpetological Society
www.wnyherp.org
©
2001 - 2002 by Western New York Herpetological Society
This
document is for guidance only and should not be used as the sole source of
information. New information is being developed daily. It is recommended that a
concerted effort be made to maintain up-to-date knowledge of the animals of
interest.
Common
Name:
Painted turtle
Latin
Name:
Chrysemys picta
Native
to:
Eastern USA depending on which of the four
subspecies.
Size
Range:
Average adult is 5-8 inches; females are larger than
males of same age.
Life
span:
15-25 Years
General
Appearance:
All have a dark black top shell (carapace) with a border
containing red markings. The under shell (plastron) can be yellow with red and
black markings or red with black markings depending on the subspecies. The
head, limbs, neck and tail are dark with yellow or red markings.
Housing
requirements:
Enclosure:
Should be aquatic. Minimum dimensions for tanks are:
width - 3 times the shell length and length - 6 times the shell length. Minimum
depth of the water should be as deep as the shell is wide. A basking area is
needed to allow the turtle to get completely out of the water to dry. UV
lighting can be beneficial.
Temperature:
The water should be 70°-75° F and
can be maintained with a submersible aquarium heater. The basking area should
be 84°-88° F during the
daylight period. This can be maintained with an incandescent light.
Substrate:
Substrate is not recommended, as frequent water
changes make it difficult to clean.
Diet:
Feeding should be done every other day with all they
can eat in 45 minutes. Remove all food after that time, except for the greens.
Just because they beg for food does not necessarily mean they're hungry, this
is a trained condition. Diet should be at least 65-85% meat consisting of
commercial turtle food, trout chow, beef heart, cooked chicken, fish live or
fresh caught (not frozen). Meat should be dusted once a week with a good herp
vitamin containing D3.Dark green leafy vegetables can be used to fill the rest
of the diet.
Maintenance:
Water should be clean and clear. Waste should be
removed whenever it is found. Filtration prolongs the time between water
changes, but should not be used as a substitute for water changes. Wastewater
should not be emptied into a sink that is used for food preparation or personal
hygiene. Hands and any other part of your body that comes in contact with the
water should be washed thoroughly with anti-bacterial soap.
Other
references or recommended reading:
General
Care and Maintenance of Red-Eared Sliders: Philippe de Vosjoli
Encyclopedia
of Turtles: Dr. Peter C. H. Pritchard
Turtles
of the World: Carl H. Earnst and Roger W. Barbour
Encyclopedia
of Keeping and Breeding Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: A. C. Highfield