Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta)

Short answers

Painted turtle: How big does the enclosure need to be?

An aqua-terrarium from ~100–125×50–60 cm for one adult animal (depending on the subspecies); at least ~200 l of water.

Painted turtle: What temperature does it need?

Daytime water 22–28 °C (spring/autumn 20–23, midsummer 26–28), basking spot 35–42 °C (dry basking spot), at night 18–22 °C (air above the water).

Painted turtle: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 2–4); an HQI / UV metal-halide lamp is recommended.

Painted turtle: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 20–40 years (up to ~50).

Painted turtle: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

water 22–28 °C (spring/autumn 20–23, midsummer 26–28)

Night temperature

18–22 °C (air above the water)

Basking spot

35–42 °C (dry basking spot)

Humidity

Not critical (aquatic); the basking spot must stay dry

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 2–4); an HQI / UV metal-halide lamp is recommended

Enclosure

Minimum size

an aqua-terrarium from ~100–125×50–60 cm for one adult animal (depending on the subspecies); at least ~200 l of water

Substrate

Fine sand or rounded gravel; large stones as a basking spot; water plants; an egg-laying site for the females

Feeding

Food

Omnivorous; juveniles mostly animal food (insects, snails, small fish, crayfish), adults at least ~30 % plant food (water plants, dandelion, lettuce) plus pellets and a cuttlebone

Feeding interval

juveniles daily; adults animal food 2–3×/week, plant food available

Key facts

Adult size

13–25 cm depending on the subspecies (females larger; dorsalis is the smallest at ~12–16 cm, bellii the largest at up to 25 cm)

Life expectancy

20–40 years (up to ~50)

Origin

North America, from southern Canada to northern Mexico

Protection status

EU Annex B of Regulation 338/97 (since 2003), and therefore SUBJECT TO REGISTRATION with the responsible nature conservation authority; proof of origin is required for trade or transfer; there is no trade ban

Brumation

A winter rest or brumation of 4–5 months at 4–8 °C (e.g. a fridge or cool cellar); somewhat shorter for southern forms depending on species and subspecies (dorsalis 4–8 weeks)

Cohabitation

Single housing is the least stressful option indoors. A group only in a large garden pond with plenty of space, visual barriers and more females than males; in a cramped tank dominant animals bully others and males harass females during courtship.

Notes

A winter rest matters for keeping it properly (reproduction and health) and makes the husbandry more demanding. The registration requirement is often overlooked. The figures apply to the species; the subspecies differ in final size and in the length of the winter rest.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Southern painted turtle (Chrysemys picta dorsalis) – Beginner
• Western painted turtle (Chrysemys picta bellii) – Intermediate
• Alabama map turtle (Graptemys pulchra) – Intermediate
• Barbour's map turtle (Graptemys barbouri) – Intermediate
• Cumberland slider (Trachemys scripta troostii) – Intermediate
• D'Orbigny's slider (Trachemys dorbigni) – Intermediate
• False map turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica) – Intermediate
• Florida cooter (Pseudemys floridana) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (an aqua-terrarium from ~100–125×50–60 cm for one adult animal (depending on the subspecies); at least ~200 l of water), substrate (Fine sand or rounded gravel; large stones as a basking spot; water plants; an egg-laying site for the females), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.