Description
As its name implies, the Painted Turtle is a colourful
animal. It has an olive to black carapace
with red markings on the marginal scutes
and yellow stripes on the head and neck. The carapace is broad, smooth and
flat. There
are three subspecies in Canada. The Eastern Painted Turtle has an
unmarked yellow plastron. The
Midland
Painted Turtle has a yellow plastron with
a darker irregular figure along the midline. On the Western
Painted Turtle the plastron
has a dark
figure made up of distinct wavy lines or reticulations. The
Western subspecies is larger than the other two reaching up to 25
cm carapace length.
Confusing Species
Although the shape is similar to the larger Common Map Turtle that species is not
nearly as
colourful as the Painted Turtle and the rear of the carapace is serrated.
Distribution
The Painted Turtle is found across southern Canada from
Nova Scotia to British Columbia although it is found in very few
localities on the prairies. It occurs throughout much of the
eastern and midwestern United States with scattered populations in
the west.
Habitat
Painted Turtles inhabit ponds, marshes, lakes and
creeks with slow moving water. They prefer waterbodies with a soft
bottom, abundant basking sites and aquatic vegetation.
Reproduction
Individuals in northern populations may take up to five
years to reach sexual maturity. Nesting takes place from late May
to early July. A single clutch of up to 23 eggs is laid depending
on the subspecies. Nests are dug in loamy or sandy soil in sunny
areas. Hatchlings may emerge in the fall but usually overwinter in
the nest and emerge the following spring. They can survive
temperatures as low as -9oC. Painted Turtles have
temperature-dependent sex determination.
Natural history
Painted Turtles are commonly seen basking on logs,
rocks or shorelines with easy access to the water. Several
animals are often seen basking together. Individuals sometimes
move long distances overland from one water body to another or in
search of nesting sites. They are opportunistic feeders and eat
algae, invertebrates, fish, frogs and carrion. Hibernation occurs
on the bottom of waterbodies. Some individuals live for 30-40
years in nature.
Conservation Concerns
Painted Turtles are abundant throughout much of their
range. However, nesting females are vulnerable to traffic
mortality because they often search road sides for suitable nest
sites.
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