Eastern Painted Turtle

Eastern Painted Turtle

Anna Weiner
Used with permission

Eastern Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta picta)

Identification: The Eastern Painted Turtle is the only turtle in which the large scutes are lined up in even rows across the carapace. The plain, dark scutes of the smooth, unkeeled carapace have yellow, olive or red borders. There may be a faint thin line down the middle of the back. The edge of the carapace often has red or orange marks. The hingeless plastron is plain yellow but often stained red by algae. The head typically has two bright yellow spots or streaks pointing back from the eye, as well as a bright yellow line on the jaw. The upper jaw has a notch. The neck, legs, and tail have red, orange or yellow markings.

Where to find them: Any standing body of water.

When to find them: Active April through September