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 browTi, 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. 

 Ver.' dark colored individuals are occasionally found. Males are distinguished by longer 

 fi-ont claws and longer tails with the anus posterior to the margin of the carapace (Ernst at 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 at al. et al.94). 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 and skunks 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. 1 994). 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). 



Status: Painted Turtles were not found on the study area. A small lake on the Blackleaf WMA 

 seemed the most suitable habitat on public lands, and only a few other ponds seemed even 

 marginally suitable on the study area. Painted Turtles are locally common in Montana at 

 lower elevations. They are known to occur only a few miles east of the study area. There has 

 been some concern about Painted Turtle populations nationally, and whether declines have 

 occurred in Montana is unknown. It should be watched for particularly at lower elevations in 

 ponds in prairie or shrub-steppe habitat on the study area. Any animals located should be 

 documented. 



Montana Natural Heritage Program Rank: G5 S5 



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