Datasets -> Chrysemys Picta Picta -> General Information

Entrez Taxonomy
Chrysemys picta picta is the Eastern painted turtle, a subspecies of the painted turtle native to the east coast of North America. In the southern extent of its range it is separated from the Midland painted turtle (picta marginata) by the Appalachian mountains, but the two subspecies tend to interbreed where their northern ranges overlap. The picta is the smallest subspecies of painted turtle, growing up to 17 cm long, and lacks the ornate red dappled pattern on its bottom shell that marks its cousin picta bellii. In addition, the picta is the only North American turtle with top shell segments arranged in straight rows, as opposed to the normal offset pattern. The painted turtle lives in shallow waters with slow or no current with soft bottoms and aquatic vegetation and available basking sites. Although illegal in a few states, they are frequently kept as pets and can live up to 40 years in captivity. chrysemys picta picta, turtle, painted turtle, eastern painted turtle