Painted Turtle
Chrysemys picta
An adult painted turtle lives in quiet freshwater habitats such as ponds, marshes, lake edges, and slow rivers with sunny basking sites. It is an omnivore, taking aquatic plants, insects, snails, small fish, carrion, and other easy prey. When threatened, it usually drops from a basking perch into the water or withdraws behind its sturdy shell. A notable trait is its ability to absorb oxygen through specialized tissues while resting underwater during winter dormancy.
- Type
- Shell / Water
- Conservation status
- LC
Growth chain
- Painted Turtle Hatchling
- Juvenile Painted Turtle
- Painted Turtle