Southern Painted

 

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Chrysemys picta dorsalis

ADULT SIZE

Male   3½” - 5"            Female   5½” - 7"

DIET

In the wild, they feed upon fish, insects, carrion and plant matter.

TEMPERATURE RANGE (°F)

Air Temperature:  Low to mid 80's

Basking Temperature:  High 80's to low 90's

Water Temperature:  Low to mid 70's

HABITAT

Soft-bottomed shallow ponds, marshes, lakes and creeks

DISTRIBUTION

Illinois and Missouri, Mississippi River to the Gulf Coast, into Alabama and Louisiana.

BEGINNER TURTLE

Yes

CAPTIVE HABITAT

These are extremely aggressive baskers, so a basking spot is required. UVB lighting is needed as well as a heat lamp over the basking spot. A submersible heater is recommended if the water temps fall below the recommendation. They are excellent swimmers and their captive habitat should have a water depth as deep as possible. Substrate should be anywhere from a sand to a fine-to-medium size gravel.

RECOMMENDED ENCLOSURE

Recommended size for a single adult Chrysemys picta dorsalis would be a 40 gallon aquarium as a minimum (55 or larger preferred) for males, and a 55 gallon aquarium as a minimum (75 or larger preferred) for females. This will provide adequate swimming area, as well as assisting the filtration in maintaining good water quality. For additional Chrysemys picta dorsalis, I would recommend adding 20 gallons of tank space per additional male, and adding 40 gallons of tank space for each additional female at a minimum.

Stock Tanks and Rubbermaid containers also work well. The same space recommendations remain the same.

CAPTIVE DIET

In captivity, they do well on Mazuri and ReptoMin, Reptile/Pond 10, Cichlid Sticks, aquatic plants, fish, veggies, snails, crickets and assorted worms and insects.

COMMUNITY HABITAT

Chrysemys picta dorsalis is a great turtle for a community habitat with Sliders, Cooters, Map Turtles and other Painted Turtles.

OTHER INFORMATION

Southern Painted Turtles are aggressive baskers and are extremely personable turtles. They are a hearty species and most seem to adjust well to change.