Painted Turtle

Painted turtle Latin Name: Chrysemys picta

Eastern USA depending on which of the four subspecies.

Average adult is 5-8 inches; females are larger than males of same age.

15-25 Years

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.

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.

The water should be 70-750 F and can be maintained with a submersible

aquarium heater. The basking area should be 84-88

Substrate is not recommended, as frequent water changes make it difficult to

clean.

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.

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.