Eastern Painted Turtle

Description

Two subspecies are recognized in TN: Eastern Painted Turtle (C. p. picta) and Midland Painted Turtle (C. p. marginata).   Eastern Painted occurs in the Blue Ridge Mountains, while Midland Painted occurs in the Tennessee River drainages.  A small, colorful, aquatic turtle (4.0 to 6.0 inches in length) with a smooth olive to black carapace (upper shell), which lacks a keel. Marginal scutes (plates) have prominent red coloration.   

The sides of the head and chin have yellow striping, and a noticeable yellow spot occurs behind each eye.   Eastern Painted Turtles have scutes that form straight rows across the back with light bands showing between the plates. Midland's have a dark, oval spot (variable in size and shape) in the center of the plastron (lower shell).   Young are more brightly colored and have a slight keel on their back.

Similar Species: Southern Painted Turtle usually has a prominent red or orangish stripe running down the center of the back and a yellow plastron, but genetic analysis is required to positively distinguish it from Painted Turtle.

Habitat: Prefers shallow bodies of water with soft, muddy bottoms and plentiful aquatic vegetation; examples include lakes, rivers, ponds, wetlands, ditches, oxbows, and reservoirs.

Diet: Plants and animals, including algae, duckweed, snails, crayfish, frogs, and fish.

Breeding information: Courtship and breeding occur in late winter and spring.   Females will dig a nest in open sandy areas or areas with loose soil, and lay 4-20 elliptical white to cream colored eggs per clutch.   Eggs hatch in approximately 6-10 weeks, remaining in the nest through the winter until emerging in the spring.

Status in Tennessee: A fairly common and abundant species across the state. Vulnerable to destruction of habitat and being killed on roadways.

Best places to see in Tennessee: Perched on fallen trees in shallow ponds or lakes covered by duckweed or lily pads.