Western painted turtle (Chrysemys picta bellii)

Short answers

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

An aqua-terrarium from ~120–150 cm on a side (×50–60 cm) for one adult animal; water at least 25 cm deep.

Western painted turtle: What temperature does it need?

Daytime water 22–27 °C (summer up to 27), 18–22 °C (spring/autumn), basking spot 35–42 °C (dry basking spot, HQI lamp), at night 18–22 °C (air above the water).

Western 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.

Western painted turtle: How long do they live?

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

Western painted turtle: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

water 22–27 °C (summer up to 27), 18–22 °C (spring/autumn)

Night temperature

18–22 °C (air above the water)

Basking spot

35–42 °C (dry basking spot, HQI lamp)

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 ~120–150 cm on a side (×50–60 cm) for one adult animal; water at least 25 cm deep

Substrate

Fine sand or rounded gravel; large stones as a basking spot; water plants; an egg-laying site (damp sand or a sand-soil mix, at least as deep as the shell is long) for the females

Feeding

Food

Omnivorous; juveniles mostly animal food (insects, snails, small fish), from about 10 cm 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

females up to 25 cm, males up to ~20 cm (the largest painted turtle subspecies)

Life expectancy

20–40 years (up to ~50)

Origin

Western and central North America: southern Canada (Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, British Columbia) south to Texas and northern Mexico, west to the Pacific North-West

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 about 3–5 months at ~4 °C (the northernmost painted turtle); December to February without feeding, and juveniles only from about three years old

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 largest and most robust painted turtle subspecies; it takes cooler conditions, and a pronounced winter rest matters. The registration requirement (EU Annex B) is often overlooked – keep the proof of origin.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Western painted turtle (Chrysemys picta bellii) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) – Intermediate
• Southern painted turtle (Chrysemys picta dorsalis) – Beginner
• 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 Western painted turtle (Chrysemys picta bellii) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (an aqua-terrarium from ~120–150 cm on a side (×50–60 cm) for one adult animal; water at least 25 cm deep), substrate (Fine sand or rounded gravel; large stones as a basking spot; water plants; an egg-laying site (damp sand or a sand-soil mix, at least as deep as the shell is long) 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.