Western Painted Turtle

Published A Few Days Ago
ADVERTISEMENT
fast facts

About Western Painted Turtle

Size
Small
Length
Type
Semi-aquatic
Lifespan
25-50 years
Food
Commercial turtle diet, vegetables, fruits, insects, fish, shrimp, aquatic plants, worms
Difficulty Of Care
Low Maintenance
Comparable Breeds
Eastern Painted Turtle, Midland Painted Turtle
Top Breed
3
ADVERTISEMENT

Western Painted Turtle General Info

One of the most popular pet turtle breeds, and one that is appropriate for beginner turtle keepers, the Western Painted Turtle is the largest of the four Painted Turtle species. There are many captive-bred Western Painted Turtles, and these attractive, colorful turtles are a joy to watch as they swim and bask.

The Western Painted Turtle is appropriate for beginner turtle keepers.

Native Habitat

ADVERTISEMENT

Painted Turtles can be found all over the United States, from east to west. They can also be found all the way down to northern Mexico and up to the southern part of Canada.

Western Painted Turtles, in particular, can be found in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, and Wisconsin, as well as British Columbia, across southern Canada, and western Ontario.

You will find these turtles near rivers, lakes, and streams, as well as wetland habitats that are located near bodies of water.

Overall Description

When compared to Sliders, the Western Painted Turtle is similar in both form and size. You will notice that the carapace has no keel, and it is oval, flattened, and smooth. Also, the posterior rim isn’t serrated, and the vertebral scutes of the Western Painted Turtle are broad.

The Western Painted Turtle also features a plastron that isn’t hinged, and the head will be moderate in size with a snout that projects slightly. You will even note that the upper jaw features a terminal notch that has a cusp on either side.

These attractive, colorful turtles are a joy to watch as they swim and bask.

Colors

The Western Painted Turtle features a carapace that is olive or green to black in color, and it can be mildly or moderately patterned. Along its seams, there are red or yellow borders, and there are red crescents or bars on the turtle’s marginal scutes. There will also be a medial stripe that could be red or yellow, though this is not always apparent.

The plastron features a beautiful pattern of color. The skin will be black to olive in color, and there will also be yellow and red stripes found along the tail, legs, and neck. The yellow stripes on the head include a yellow line that extends from underneath the turtle’s eye and may connect with a stripe from the lower jaw. You will also see a big yellow streak behind each eye, and the chin has a couple of wide yellow lines that will come together at the tip of the turtle’s jaw.

Environment

ADVERTISEMENT

Western Painted Turtles can be housed indoors or outside in a garden pond that is safe and enclosed.

Like other Painted Turtles, the Western Painted Turtle likes to spend a lot of time basking, so you need to set up a good basking spot for your pet. This should include a non-abrasive platform on which your turtle can completely dry off, along with a heat lamp that will ensure the basking area remains anywhere from 85-90°F. These turtles will also require a UVB lamp over their enclosure. The rest of the air temperature in the enclosure should be anywhere from the low to mid 80s Fahrenheit.

The water should be filtered and pure at all times, and a water heater will ensure that the water temperature remains anywhere from the low to mid 70s Fahrenheit. Keep in mind that these turtles are avid swimmers, so they should be able to dive down into the water and swim around easily.

Tank substrates are optional for these turtles, so you can keep the bottom of the tank bare or you can opt to get river rock, gravel, or sand. Just make sure that the substrate is either small enough to easily pass through your turtle’s digestive tract if it is swallowed, or too big to swallow in the first place.

Provide your turtle with underwater hiding places, but make sure that they are safe, as you don’t want your pet to get stuck and drown.

A single adult male Western Painted Turtle can be housed in a 75-gallon tank, as a minimum, while females would need at least a 125-gallon enclosure. The enclosure would need to be even bigger if you are going to house multiple turtles in the same tank.

Western Painted Turtles do well when they are not handled often.

Care Requirements

Western Painted Turtles can be fed a commercial turtle diet, along with fish, shrimp, and non-toxic aquatic plants like water hyacinth, water lettuce, pondweed, water lilies, duckweed, water fern, hornwort, and frogbit, as a few examples.

You can also provide your pet with vegetables, such as collard greens, endive, red leaf lettuce, escarole, dandelions, mustard greens, kale, romaine, beet leaves, squash, and zucchini. These turtles will also enjoy crickets, fruit, and worms, such as bloodworms and mealworms.

Behavior

Western Painted Turtles do well when they are not handled often, so only pick up and hold your turtle whenever it is necessary to do so. They can become stressed if they are handled too much, and they can bite or scratch if they are frightened or provoked.

These turtles do well in community tanks with other Painted Turtles, as well as similar species of comparable size. Make sure you give them plenty of space and hiding places, and watch out for aggressive behaviors.

Photo credit: Matthijs Kuijpers/Bigstock; sbonk /Bigstock; Willee Cole/Bigstock

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

You May Like

Simple Tips to Protect Your Dog From Snakes

Summer is snake season - out on a hike, up at the cottage, or even in your backyard. Watch your step with these tips to protect your dog from snake bites.

Clear Conscience Pet SuperGravy Review

It amazes me that Oscar is so picky when it comes to dry kibble. That''s why I was intrigued when I received Clear Conscience Pet SuperGravy to try out.

North American Wood Turtle

The North American Wood Turtle is a popular turtle breed, thanks to its friendliness, its endearing personality, and that it is tame and easy to handle.

Smoke Pearl Rabbit

The Smoke Pearl Rabbit has a luxurious, thick, and soft coat. These rabbits are laid-back, easy going, and enjoy being around people.

Something Smells Fishy… It’s Tuna, In His First VW Ad! [Video]

Tuna melts your heart in this adorable Volkswagen commercial. Don’t you love when a social media site makes someone a bona fide star? Just look at Tuna…

Celestial Parrotlet

If you are looking for a parrot that isn''t exotic and large, but has a fun and loving personality, then the Celestial Parrotlet is the choice for you!

Brussels Griffon

Ideal for apartment dwellers, the Brussels Griffon is spunky, playful, yet stubborn and mischievous. This dog is also good with other pets and children.

How Much Should I Feed My Cat?

The term ""Fat Cat"" isn''t reserved for shifty politicians. If your cat looks a little too round (or thin), it''s time to evaluate how much you''re feeding her.

SuperZoo 2018: Sleepypod Go Bag Makes Traveling With Fido A Breeze

Sleepypod has created a new travel bag for pet parents that lets you keep your pets and your travel essentials together in one convenient bag--the Go Bag.

Best Chicken Jerky for Dogs

Chicken jerky for dogs is a healthy, protein-rich treat you can use to reward your pet without any guilt about calories or artificial ingredients.

Ewokian

The Ewokian is a designer dog breed developed by crossing two toy dogs, the Havanese and the Pomeranian. Their teddy-bear look charms everybody!

Adoptable Dog of the Week-Harley

Our Adoptable Dog of the Week is Harley, a one year old Basset Hound and Terrier mix with unique facial markings from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Review: Love Thy Beast Canvas Pet Tote

Designed for on-the-go Pet Parents who don’t do prissy, the Love Thy Beast Canvas Pet Tote holds your dog, your essentials and your classic sense of st…

Upside Down Dog Of The Week – Poppy

It’s Tuesday and you know what that means – it’s time to announce our Upside Down Dog of the Week from Upsidedowndogs.com. This week’…

Peekapoo

Whether he''s on your lap or chasing squirrels, the affectionate Peekapoo is a delightful designer dog that''s suitable for a wide range of households.