Painted Turtle
Chrysemys picta
Quick answer
Painted turtles bask on logs across North American ponds with red and yellow skin stripes, weighing about 0.3 kg and living 35 years. Most widespread turtle on the continent — survives frozen ponds through anaerobic winter metabolism.
Painted Turtle facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Chrysemys picta |
|---|---|
| Diet | Omnivore — aquatic plants, insects, and small fish |
| Habitat | Ponds, lakes, and slow rivers of North America |
| Lifespan | 25–35 years in the wild |
| Weight | 0.2–0.4 kg (0.4–0.9 lb); colourful stripes |
| Top speed | Up to 5 km/h (3 mph) swimming |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Testudines |
| Family | Emydidae |
| Genus | Chrysemys |
Where it lives
Ponds and slow rivers from southern Canada through the United States to northern Mexico — most widespread North American turtle.
What is a group of painted turtles called?
Group name (collective noun)
A group of Painted Turtles is called a bale.
Baby name
A baby Painted Turtle is called a hatchling.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
Distribution and habitat
Painted Turtles live in Ponds and slow rivers from southern Canada through the United States to northern Mexico — most widespread North American turtle. Preferred habitat includes ponds, lakes, and slow rivers of north america. Across North America, population density reflects prey availability, water access, and human disturbance. Protected areas and wildlife corridors remain essential for long-term persistence.
Physical traits and behaviour
Painted Turtles typically reach about 0.18 m in length and 0.3 kg in weight, with top speeds near 5 km/h. The pond slider of North America. Daily activity, social structure, and seasonal movements reflect pressures in their native environment.
Diet and ecological role
Painted Turtles feed on omnivore — aquatic plants, insects, and small fish. Foraging shifts with season and local abundance. As reptiles, they influence food webs — controlling prey, dispersing seeds, or shaping habitat through feeding and movement.
Conservation and coexistence
Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Habitat loss, hunting, and climate change threaten many populations. Responsible ecotourism and community conservation help in parts of their range. Never approach or feed wild painted turtles.
Human interest and research
Painted Turtles feature in folklore, tourism, and scientific study worldwide. Ongoing research tracks population trends, genetics, and responses to environmental change — data that guides national protection policies.
Dig deeper into the Painted Turtle
- How Long do Painted Turtle Live?
Dig deeper into painted turtle — how long do painted turtle live.
- Painted Turtle Facts 4
Dig deeper into painted turtle — painted turtle facts 4.
- Painted Turtle Facts 5
Dig deeper into painted turtle — painted turtle facts 5.
- What do Painted Turtle Eat
Dig deeper into painted turtle — what do painted turtle eat.
- Where do Painted Turtle Live?
Dig deeper into painted turtle — where do painted turtle live.
Explore the Painted Turtle
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Related Reptiles
Range & geography
Did you know? Painted Turtle facts
- Painted turtles bask on logs across North American ponds, with red and yellow stripes on skin and shell.
- Sliders have red ear patches and are more invasive globally.
- Yes — underwater in mud through winter.
- Conservation: Least Concern.
Diet & feeding
Painted Turtle feeds primarily as a omnivore — plants, insects, fish. Turtles stack on logs regulating body temperature before diving to feed.
Adaptations
- Turtles stack on logs regulating body temperature before diving to feed.
- Painted turtles survive frozen ponds by anaerobic metabolism.
Behaviour & ecology
- Turtles stack on logs regulating body temperature before diving to feed.
- Painted turtles survive frozen ponds by anaerobic metabolism.
Communication
- Scent marking, body posture, and head-bobbing or tail signals communicate threat and dominance.
- Vocalisations are limited in many reptiles but hissing or bellowing occurs in some groups.
Habitat & range
Ponds and slow rivers in North America
Ecological role
Painted Turtle plays a recognised ecological role in ponds and slow rivers in north america.
Frequently asked questions about the Painted Turtle
Painted turtle vs red-eared slider?
Sliders have red ear patches and are invasive globally; painted turtles are native with red/yellow shell margins.
Do painted turtles hibernate?
Yes — underwater in mud through winter without breathing.
How long do painted turtles live?
25–35 years — long-lived for small pond turtles.
Where do painted turtles live?
Ponds and slow rivers from southern Canada through the United States to northern Mexico — most widespread North American turtle.
What do painted turtles eat?
Omnivore — aquatic plants, insects, and small fish.
What is a group of painted turtles called?
A group of Painted Turtles is called a bale.
What is a baby painted turtle called?
A baby Painted Turtle is called a hatchling.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Painted Turtle:
-
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Least Concern) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Chrysemys picta.
- IUCN Red List — Chrysemys picta.
Conservation status (Least Concern) and population trends.
- Animal Diversity Web — Chrysemys picta. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.
Life history, morphology, and range.
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