Painted Turtle {Chrysemys picta) 



Description: Adult Painted Turtles have a relatively flat dorsal shell, or carapace, the length of 

 which may reach 9" in females and 7" in males. The background color of the shell may be 

 dark brown, olive, or black. A series of short, irregular yellow lines are often scattered across 

 the shell, and a red and black border forms the outer edge. The ventral shell, or plastron, is 

 red with a centrally-located yellow and black blotch with edges flaring out along the border 

 of the scutes. The edge of the plastron also has a series of black and yellow blotches. The 

 head, neck, and legs are marked with yellow lines and a red spot appears behind the eye. 

 Very dark colored individuals are occasionally found. Males are distinguished by longer 

 front claws and longer tails with the anus posterior to the margin of the carapace (Ernst et al. 

 1994). 



Eggs and Young: The elliptical, white, soft-shelled eggs are about 28-35 mm in length and 

 16-23 mm in width (Ernst et al. 1994). They typically number 6-23 per clutch. Coloration of 

 young Painted Turtles is more vibrant and the shell is not quite as flattened as adults. 



Similar Species: None. 



Habitat and Habits: Painted Turtles are active during the day and are rarely seen far from ponds, 

 lakes, or the slow-moving water of streams. Adults are primarily herbivorous, feeding on a 

 variety of aquatic plants, but will also scavenge on animal remains. Eggs are usually laid 

 within 10-20 feet of the water's edge, although some individuals will travel up to 600 m 

 seeking a suitable site. During egg-laying, the female excavates a hole with her hind feet and 

 deposits the eggs, which are then covered by several inches of dirt. Predation on turtle eggs 

 by raccoons, skunks, etc. is common, and shell fragments are evidence of such activity. 

 Female Painted Turtles may lay more than one clutch of eggs each summer. Young borne of 

 late egg depositions overwinter in the nest and do not emerge until the following spring 

 (Ernst et al. 1994). Once females lay their eggs, they return to the pond, where they can often 

 be seen basking on logs or rocks along with juveniles and males. Painted Turtles are sexually 

 mature at 3-5 years of age and may live to be 30 years or older (Ernst et al. 1994). 



Surveying: Although various turtle traps can be used for surveys, visual identification is suitable 

 for presence/absence studies since the three turtle species in Montana are easily 

 distinguished. Basking peaks at different times during the day, depending on season and 

 location; in the northern states and Canada it generally peaks in the morning. Surveys should 

 be done on sunny days with a pair of binoculars. During cold or cloudy weather, turtles tend 

 to remain underwater for long periods and can be missed on a walk-through survey. 



Status: Painted Turtles are locally quite common in Montana at lower elevations. They were not 

 found on the HNF. However they are known from lower elevation areas on the plains 

 adjacent to the forest, and were reported within Va mile of the forest boundary by A. Harper 

 and S. Hendrickson (pers. comm.) in the western Elkhom Mountains. They probably occur 

 on the HNF at low elevations; any sightings should be documented. There has been some 

 concern about Painted Turtle populations nationally; whether declines have occurred in 

 Montana is unknown 



Montana Natural Heritage Program Rank: G5 S5. 



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