Eastern Painted Turtle

Chrysemys picta picta

One of the most abundant turtles across its range, the colorful Painted Turtle can be seen basking in the morning and in late afternoon on a favorite log. Sometimes many of them are stacked upon one another. Occasionally, Painted Turtles are seen in winter, moving about under the ice of a frozen pond.

Look For : A small turtle with a very smooth, olive to black upper shell with red marks along edge. Lower shell unhinged.

Length : 4-9 1/2".

Habitat : Marshes, ponds, lake shallows, slow creeks.

Range : Southeastern Canada through New England and the Atlantic coast states to northern Georgia and eastern Alabama.