Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta). 



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

 which varies from 5-8". The background color of the shell ranges from dark brown to green, 

 with a narrow yellow line extending down the center. 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 whose edges 

 flare out along the border of the scutes. The edge of the plastron also has a series of black 

 and yellow blotches. Two yellow stripes run along the sides of the head and neck. Sexes are 

 distinguished by the longer tail and longer front claws of the male. The white, soft-shelled 

 eggs are about 1" in diameter and number 12-20 per clutch. Coloration on young Painted 

 turtles is more vibrant and the shell is not quite as flattened. 



Habitat and Habits: Painted turtles are rarely seen far from ponds, lakes, or the slow-moving 

 water of streams. They 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 greater distances 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. It is suspected that the young borne of late egg 

 depositions overwinter in the shell and do not emerge until the following spring. 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 sexually mature at 3-4 years of age 

 and may live to be 10 years or older (Stebbins 1985). 



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

 since there are no other turtle species in Western Montana to confuse it with. A pair of 

 binoculars is helpful and surveys should be done on warm sunny days. During cold or 

 cloudy weather, turtles tend to remain underwater for long periods and can be missed on just 

 a walk-through survey. 



Status: Painted turtles are quite common throughout western Montana at lower elevations. They 

 are thought to be present in all districts of the KNF, but were seen in only four districts 

 during the 1993-94 survey. Thirty-three turtles werre counted at one time in Turtle Lake near 

 Eureka but in most instances only one or two individuals were seen at a site. Since Painted 

 turtles occupy a different food chain than amphibians and lay their eggs on land rather than in 

 the water, they face a different set of environmental factors in regulating their populations. 



Montana Natural Heritage Program Rank: G5 S5. 



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