Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta). 



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

 which varies from 12.5-20 cm. 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 venfral 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 2.5 cm 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 sfreams. 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). Painted Turtles have been reported 

 from 10 June to 14 August in the BNF area, but the period of time these turtles are surface- 

 active is undoubtedly longer than this. 



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 helpfiil and surveys should be done on warm surmy 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 common throughout northwestern Montana at lower elevations. They 

 were encountered at five sites in 1995, all adjacent to the Stevensville District. In the BNF 

 area this species appears to be restricted to the lowlands of the Bitterroot Valley north of 

 Hamilton; currently there are no records from BNF lands. Painted Turtles are commonly 

 seen at Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge and other marshes along the Bitterroot River. 

 In these areas they face threats from Bullfrogs, which attack hatchlings, and mammalian 

 predators (e.g., skunks and raccoons), which excavate and desfroy clutches (P. Gonzales pers. 

 comm.). Painted Turtles are probably more widespread in the BNF area than current records 

 indicate. 



Montana Natural Heritage Program Rank: G5 S5. 



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