Southern painted turtle (Chrysemys picta dorsalis)

Short answers

Southern painted turtle: How big does the enclosure need to be?

150×60 cm aquarium or a garden pond.

Southern painted turtle: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–27 °C, basking spot 35 °C, at night 16–20 °C.

Southern painted turtle: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Southern painted turtle: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 25–40 years.

Southern painted turtle: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–27 °C

Night temperature

16–20 °C

Basking spot

35 °C

Humidity

Aquatic

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

150×60 cm aquarium or a garden pond

Substrate

Water 30–45 cm deep, sand, planting, a basking spot

Feeding

Food

Water plants, fish, insects, pellets

Feeding interval

3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

10–16 cm

Life expectancy

25–40 years

Origin

The Mississippi valley, USA

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A winter rest of 12–16 weeks at 4–8 °C

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

The smallest painted turtle subspecies, with a striking red dorsal stripe. It stays manageable and is easily kept in a garden pond in summer – one of the few unproblematic aquatic turtles for beginners.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Southern painted turtle (Chrysemys picta dorsalis) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) – Intermediate
• 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 Southern painted turtle (Chrysemys picta dorsalis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (150×60 cm aquarium or a garden pond), substrate (Water 30–45 cm deep, sand, planting, a basking spot), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.