Western Painted TurtleChrysemys picta belli
Colorado State Reptile 
Photo: Hunter Johnson
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Map accurate as of 1/31/2024
Side-by-side: Western Painted Turtle (left), Spiny Softshell (center), and Red-eared Slider (right) in Larimer County, CO - Photo by Hunter Johnson
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Identification:
- Length: 2.5 - 10 inches - Carapace: low, smooth, and unkeeled; dark brown/black in color with red or yellow borders on the front of shell - Plastron: Red with a dark, striped, abstract pattern - Body: Head and limbs have yellow striping; unlike a Red-eared slider, they do not have red spot behind their eyes (Stebbins 2003) Distribution: Painted turtles occur throughout eastern Colorado in elevations mostly below 6,000ft (1,830m), and in a small range in south western Colorado mostly below 7,500ft (2,290m) in elevation. In the past they were more constricted to larger river drainages, but have since spread out to colonize man-made bodies of water. There is a population of painted turtles that have been introduced in Delta and Mesa Counties. (Hammerson 1999)
Activity: Painted turtles are a diurnal species that are mostly active between the months of March and October, but are known to be active up until late November through early December if conditions stay favorable. They are observed basking on partially submerged pieces of wood, often in large groups or foraging underwater. On occasion they can be found traversing land in search of nesting sites or new bodies of water to colonize. In the winter months these turtles will reside underwater.
(Hammerson 1999; Stebbins 2003) |
Habitat: Painted turtles typically prefer permanent bodies of slow moving water with soft and muddy bottoms, abundant vegetation, and partially submerged pieces of wood; they show a preference for marshes and wetlands that undergo long periods of flooding. They can seldom be found moving between bodies of water. (Hammerson 1999; Stebbins 2003)
Diet: Painted turtles have been observed to feed on fish and a wide variety of invertebrates. They will often take advantage of washed up fish carcasses as well. This species is also known to consume considerable amounts of plant matter. (Hammerson 1999)
Defense: When threatened, painted turtles will withdraw into their shell and often urinate in an attempt to deter would-be predators. It has also been hypothesized that the bright coloration on the painted turtle’s plastron (flat underside of shell or "belly") is to deter larger fish from consuming them. Larger fish such as bass often spit out turtles after ingesting them. (Hammerson 1999)
Natural Predators: As eggs and juveniles, this species is often preyed upon by fish, bullfrogs, aquatic snakes, water striders, predatory birds, and medium sized mammals. Larger turtles have very few predators, but will sometimes be found with leeches attached to them. (Hammerson 1999)
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Cited & Additional Resources
Hammerson G. A. 1999. Amphibians and Reptiles in Colorado. University Press Colorado, Boulder.
Stebbins R. C. 2003. Peterson Field Guides: Western Reptiles and Amphibians. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, New York.
Hammerson G. A. 1999. Amphibians and Reptiles in Colorado. University Press Colorado, Boulder.
Stebbins R. C. 2003. Peterson Field Guides: Western Reptiles and Amphibians. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, New York.
Account compiled by: Rémi Pattyn
Reviewed by: Stephanie Townsend
Last Updated: 1/19/2023 by Anthony Berardi
Reviewed by: Stephanie Townsend
Last Updated: 1/19/2023 by Anthony Berardi
